Smart Cities: Architects for use of traditional planning,

Traditional methods of planning urban landscapes should not be ignored by the government in developing 'smart cities' in the country, architects said at an event here even as they called for the use of renewable material in executing such projects.
The experts also stressed on the need for using renewable materials in the construction of such cities.
"Existing structures put little emphasis on ventilation. Glass can be replaced by 'jalis' (lattice grilles), which were earlier used for better ventilation. Also, open terraces can replace air-conditioners.
"Renewable building material can also be used for construction," said Yatin Pandya, Principal, Footprints Earth, an Ahmedabad-based firm.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the release of a book, 'Building Sense: Beyond the Green Facade of Sustainable Habitat' by Centre for Science and Environment.
The NDA government in its maiden budget this year had announced a plan to develop 100 smart cities across the country.

"It is not about 100 smart-cities, it is about building with equity, resilience and for environmental benefit... Buildings should be about love-ability (sic) not just livability," said Sanjay Prakash, Principal Architect of SHiFT Architects.
Another speaker at the event said, "The state is deciding on matters of locating communities. But decentralisation has to be the best principle. Municipal corporations have to be empowered and take all decisions about how cities should grow."

The two-day conclave, which concluded today, saw extensive panel discussions on issues related to sustainable building practices that can minimise impact on the environment and resources.