Vol. 12 No. 4 (2025)
Journal Space and Culture, India

Reviews

A Decade of Smart Urbanism in India through the Smart Cities Mission (SCM)

Published 2025-03-29

  • Diganta Das

Diganta Das
Associate Professor, Co-Chair: NIE Sustainability Learning Lab (SLL), Humanities and Social Studies, Nanyang Technological University, NIE 3-3-131, 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616

Abstract

India is at the forefront of Asia’s urban transformation, with its urban population projected to reach 814 million by 2050. The Smart Cities Mission (SCM), launched in 2015, aimed to modernise 100 cities by integrating smart technologies to enhance governance, infrastructure, and quality of life. Initially influenced by Western smart urban models, SCM implementation followed a top-down approach, yet over time, cities have adapted smart initiatives to local needs. At the same time, centralised projects such as Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCCs) shaped early implementations, decentralised, community-driven adaptations have gained prominence. Cities like Bhubaneswar, Indore, and Varanasi have prioritised inclusive urban services, including transportation, sanitation, and cultural heritage conservation. Despite significant achievements, future smart urbanism must prioritise smaller cities, marginalised communities, and ecological sustainability. Emphasising participatory governance, gender-sensitive planning, and nature-based solutions can foster a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient urban future for India.

Keywords

Smart Cities, Smart Urbanism, Smart Cities Mission , India, Asia, Global South

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Author Biography

Diganta Das

Associate Professor, Co-Chair: NIE Sustainability Learning Lab (SLL), Humanities and Social Studies, Nanyang Technological University, NIE 3-3-131, 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616

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