New Delhi July 13, 2017 Eminent architects and experts attending a seminar on “Redefining Indian Sustainable Smart Cities’ organised in capital late last evening stressed on need of larger role of architects in the smart city projects in the country as they being creative and visionary can help solve every day issues to come up in the future cities.
“ No smart city will work with the way it is moving since the smart cities projects do not involve architects at present. We have engineers and digital support but architects are missing from the smart city projects coming up in the country, which is a matter of major concern ,” said Mr Biswaranjan Nayak, President, Council of Architecture (COA) , the apex regulatory body of architects while inaugurating the seminar organised by Outokumpu India, a Finland based Stainless steel major.
“Architects have a role to play in solving the big problems facing the country including increasing population, climate change and the future of cities, they also have a major role in being responsible for illustrating what the future could be . To meet the future challenge Council of Architecture is setting up five research training centres in the country. These five research centres will come up in Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Bhopal and Bhubaneshwar, catering to the architecture colleges of the five regions of the country. “ Mr Nayak Said.
“These research centres will have model making labs and climate labs so that students studying architecture can have access to these labs. At present 90% of the architecture colleges do not have these labs since setting up these labs is a costly affair.” He said.
“ The core infrastructure elements of a smart city including clean water supply, sanitation including solid waste management, housing ,efficient urban mobility and public transport, , safety and security of citizens should be sustainable and long lasting using advance materials and technologies” said Mr Yatinder Pal Singh Suri, Managing Director and Country Head , Outokumpu India, Speaking on the occasion.
“Stainless steel is the preferred material for modern building and construction due to its high mechanical strength, resistance to corrosion, aesthetics and cost efficiency. It performs well in extreme climate conditions and needs little maintenance. Chrysler building in New York, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, and some of the world’s other most famous buildings, are more than just beautiful architectural masterpieces. They also tell about the advantages of high-quality stainless steel and are a great example of low maintenance.. The requirements for cost-efficient, high-performing, sustainable buildings are growing and smart cities in India should incorporate these features” said Mr Suri.
“Approaching smart cities only from the vision of improving infrastructure is a “very narrow view of what a smart city should like”. There is need to look at the wider context and “address poverty, jobs, green spaces, social amenities, services for maintenance and not just higher buildings, which is counterproductive”. Rather than using smart cities as a “special purpose vehicle”, they should be looked at how they will improve the lives of people.” Said Mr A.K Jain, former Commissioner of Planning DDA speaking on the occasion.
A table book on “Redefining Indian Sustainable Smart cities” authored by eminent architect Prof. Charanjit Singh Shah was launched on the occasion.
Others who were present on the occasion included Mr V.P Aggarwal, former Chairman, Airport Authority of India, Prof. S.M.Akhtar, Faculty at Architecture,Jamia Milia Islamia University , Mr Peder Claesson ,Product Manager, Outokumpu.
