Context: Active mobility in India has gained attention due to increasing traffic congestion, pollution, health concerns, and rising pedestrian deaths.
Relevance of the topic:
Prelims: About active mobility, Smart Cities Mission etc.
Mains: Smart Cities Mission: Efficient urban mobility and public transport
Active Mobility
- Active mobility refers to modes of transportation that use human power instead of a motorised form of mobility.
- Active modes of transport include walking, cycling, skateboarding, and other non-motorised modes that are used for travel and not recreational activities.
- As stated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), active mobility in all its forms has economic, social, environmental, and health benefits.
Benefits of Active Mobility:
- Reduced expenditure on fuel and transportation.
- Promote sustainable modes of transportation; reduced traffic congestion; cleaner air (reduce India’s 12% carbon emissions from road transportation).
- Lower healthcare costs due to enhanced public health.
- Make cities more vibrant, climate-conscious and boost the local economy.
Roadblocks to Active Mobility in India
- Lack of adequate pedestrian and cyclist-friendly infrastructure. As of 2021, more than 85% of roads do not meet the minimum safety requirements for walking and cycling.
- Availability of low-c-xost, alternative modes of motorised transport.
- Extreme weather conditions; long distances of travel discourage people from adopting active modes of transport.
- Social perceptions act as significant barriers; owing vehicles are associated with higher social status.
Global Case Studies
- Netherlands: With more than 35,000 km of dedicated cycling lanes, the Netherlands is a global leader in promoting active mobility through cycling.
- European Union: EU’s Mobility and Transport department prioritises promoting walking and cycling as a means of transport to enable more sustainable mobility. Vision Zero, aims to mitigate the number of incidents between pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicles.
Active mobility is key to achieve the goals of Smart Cities Mission, which envisions safer, greener, and more inclusive urban spaces. With over 1.5 lakh road accident deaths (2022), promoting active mobility will enhance livability and make cities truly smart, sustainable, and centered around people.
SMART CITIES MISSION
- Launched: 2015
- Objectives: Promote cities that provide core infrastructure, clean and sustainable environment and give a decent quality of life to their citizens through the application of ‘smart solutions’.
- Nature: Centrally-sponsored scheme
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Six Fundamental Principles:
- Citizen Participation: Involving citizens in planning and decision-making processes.
- Inclusive Development: Benefits reach all sections of society, including the poor and vulnerable.
- Sustainability: Promoting environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
- Integrated Infrastructure: Coordinated planning across sectors like water, energy, transport, and waste.
- Innovation and Technology: Using smart solutions to enhance services and governance.
- Accountability and Transparency: Ensuring efficient delivery and monitoring of services.
Strategy of Smart City Mission:
- Area-Based Solutions:
- Retrofitting: Improve existing areas with smart planning to enhance efficiency and livability.
- Redevelopment: Replace old infrastructure with new layouts, better facilities, and higher density.
- Renewal: Develop vacant land (250+ acres) using smart planning and financing tools, with affordable housing.
- Pan-city ICT Intervention: Apply smart technology to existing city-wide infrastructure for better service delivery.
Core infrastructure elements in a Smart City are as follows:
- Adequate water supply
- Assured electricity supply
- Sanitation including solid waste management
- Efficient urban mobility and public transport
- Affordable housing, especially for the poor
- Robust IT connectivity and digitalisation
- Good governance, especially e-governance and citizen participation
- Sustainable environment
- Safety and security of citizens, particularly women, children and the elderly
- Health and Education.