ID :
101068
Tue, 01/19/2010 - 07:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/101068
The shortlink copeid
India has opportunity to build sustainable cities: Sibal
New Delhi, Jan 18 (PTI) India has an opportunity to build
big sustainable cities that can cater to needs of 21st century
unlike Europe and US which have already set up such megapolis
and have no chance of innovation, Indian Human Resource
Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal said on Monday.
"Everyday an estimated 750 million people migrate to
cities around the world. A city like Bombay is expected to
house 25 million by next year and double that figure by 2050.
Hence challenges of future cities are different from that of
now," he said.
The minister was addressing a function after distributing
prizes to winners of 'Future Cities India 2020' competition
for high school students sponsored by the Department of
Science and Technology.
"The needs of 21st century cities will be different. We
need sustainable cities -- one having new modes of public
transportation, new kind of buildings that are light and
absorb less heat, initiatives for pollution control and energy
saving measures," Sibal said.
"Europe and US have already set up their cities and have
no chance of innovation to build such sustainable cities in
future. But India is on the path of development. Much of its
cities have to be developed and new ones built," he said,
while calling upon youths to contribute innovative ideas.
The competition, held annually since 2006, engages
students from Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) schools
to develop solutions to real-world infrastructure challenges
and issues. This year, the theme was redevelopment of Chandni
Chowk, one of the oldest and busiest markets in the capital.
Pointing out that the government has already undertaken a
redevelopment plan for the "walled city", Sibal said, "Chandni
Chowk is an example of our lost heritage. The challenge is to
modernise the 350-year-old city while retaining its ethos,
culture and heritage."
"The young people participating in this year's
competition met the challenge of this difficult endeavour
directly. Their vision and brilliant ideas for a revitalised
and better functioning Chandni Chowk were outstanding and
thought provoking," he said.
In this year's competition, each of the 15 student teams
submitted 3D conceptual design models and presented ideas for
redevelopment of Chandni Chowk.
When asked whether any of the models designed by the
students will be implemented, the minister said, "They are not
architects but the whole idea is to inspire the students and
give them a chance to apply their minds to the actual problems
outside the classroom."
On whether the competition will include students on a
national level in the future, he replied, "Yes definitely.
Efforts are on to facilitate co-ordination between HRD and
Urban Development Ministries and to extend the programme
beyond school level to university level."
Earlier, scholarships totalling Rs.88,000 were given to
winners and Rs.44,000 to runners-up. The project designed by
the student team from Amity International School-Saket won top
honours. PTI KKE
big sustainable cities that can cater to needs of 21st century
unlike Europe and US which have already set up such megapolis
and have no chance of innovation, Indian Human Resource
Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal said on Monday.
"Everyday an estimated 750 million people migrate to
cities around the world. A city like Bombay is expected to
house 25 million by next year and double that figure by 2050.
Hence challenges of future cities are different from that of
now," he said.
The minister was addressing a function after distributing
prizes to winners of 'Future Cities India 2020' competition
for high school students sponsored by the Department of
Science and Technology.
"The needs of 21st century cities will be different. We
need sustainable cities -- one having new modes of public
transportation, new kind of buildings that are light and
absorb less heat, initiatives for pollution control and energy
saving measures," Sibal said.
"Europe and US have already set up their cities and have
no chance of innovation to build such sustainable cities in
future. But India is on the path of development. Much of its
cities have to be developed and new ones built," he said,
while calling upon youths to contribute innovative ideas.
The competition, held annually since 2006, engages
students from Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) schools
to develop solutions to real-world infrastructure challenges
and issues. This year, the theme was redevelopment of Chandni
Chowk, one of the oldest and busiest markets in the capital.
Pointing out that the government has already undertaken a
redevelopment plan for the "walled city", Sibal said, "Chandni
Chowk is an example of our lost heritage. The challenge is to
modernise the 350-year-old city while retaining its ethos,
culture and heritage."
"The young people participating in this year's
competition met the challenge of this difficult endeavour
directly. Their vision and brilliant ideas for a revitalised
and better functioning Chandni Chowk were outstanding and
thought provoking," he said.
In this year's competition, each of the 15 student teams
submitted 3D conceptual design models and presented ideas for
redevelopment of Chandni Chowk.
When asked whether any of the models designed by the
students will be implemented, the minister said, "They are not
architects but the whole idea is to inspire the students and
give them a chance to apply their minds to the actual problems
outside the classroom."
On whether the competition will include students on a
national level in the future, he replied, "Yes definitely.
Efforts are on to facilitate co-ordination between HRD and
Urban Development Ministries and to extend the programme
beyond school level to university level."
Earlier, scholarships totalling Rs.88,000 were given to
winners and Rs.44,000 to runners-up. The project designed by
the student team from Amity International School-Saket won top
honours. PTI KKE
