Future Cities 2020 Pilot Project In Delhi - 2006-07

At the threshold of 21st century it is an interesting question to ask us, if 20th century belonged to technological advancement, then what will the major event of 21st century? Last century witnessed a trickle of urbanization and emergence of metropolises. Never in the history of cities have been stakes related to the controlling the world’s urban development been as crucial for the future of humanity. This is true not only in terms of quantity, as city dwellers are expected to account for roughly half the world’s population by the year 2020, but also in terms of quality, since the bulk of economical, social, scientific, technological and cultural development will take place in cities and in particular in largest conurbation known as Metropolises.

Some of the major problems related to urban planning and development are:

1. Urban migration, population growth and management;
2. Gas & electricity distribution and management;
3. Sanitation, drinking water, and sewage system management;
4. Urban transportation and traffic management;
5. Primary health services and education
6. Environmental management;
7. Commercialization of residential sphere and management

This goes to show that it is necessary and fundamental for policy makers to make technologies like GIS and Remote Sensing imperative for the urban planning and development.

Why GIS?

Improve Organizational Integration
One of the main benefits of GIS is improved management of organization and resources. A GIS can link data sets together by common locational data, such as addresses, which helps departments and agencies share their data. By creating a shared database, one department can benefit from the work of another-data can be collected once and used many times.

Make Better Decisions
The old adage "better information leads to better decisions" is true for GIS. A GIS is not just an automated decision making system but a tool to query, analyze, and map data in support of the decision making process.

Make Maps
For simplicity's sake we often call GIS "mapping software." We most often associate maps with physical geography, but the map to the right demonstrates that GIS is flexible enough to map any kind of terrain, even the human body. GIS can map any data you wish.

Making maps with GIS is much more flexible than traditional manual or automated cartography approaches. A GIS creates maps from data pulled from databases. Existing paper maps can be digitized and translated into the GIS as well.

The GIS-based cartographic database can be both continuous and scale free. Map products can then be created centered on any location, at any scale, and showing selected information symbolized effectively to highlight specific characteristics. A map can be created anytime to any scale for anyone, as long as you have the data.

Our Mandate

To Provide support services for the Programme ‘Future City 2020 for India’. The support services include Prizes to winners of participating schools in the programme, Facilitation for creation of GIS labs in the selected 8 schools of Delhi and Publicity for the programme.

The present programme was initiated by Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India, to harness the young minds creative skills to address the local issues by way of design, interact, communicate and spreading the awareness, developed the Future Cities program in India in collaboration with Bentley Systems. In this direction Shri Kapil Sibal, the Honb’le Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Govt of India, spearheaded an initiative for the younger generation of India in new thrust areas. Dr T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India, ably guided the programme.

Programme Implementation

The programme was implemented along with installation of GIS Labs in the following schools, the selection was done by of Science & Technology, Govt of India, along with the collaborating body, Bentley Systems.

Awards to participating schools included:

Overall - Best Concept: Trophy and Cash Prize of Rs.5,000/- to each individual winner:

Runner Up – Best Concept: and Cash Prize of Rs.2500/- to each individual winner

Best Physical Model:

Best Computer Model:

Besides 100 Certificates and Trophies to each participating student, Mentor, Trainer and Juror.

The award winning ceremony was held on 19th January 2007 at ashok Hotel, New Delhi. The function was graced by Shri Kapil Sibal, the Honb’le Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Govt of India; Dr T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India; members of Bentley Systems and teachers and students from participating schools.