Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Paradigm to Smart Cities

Abstract

Indian urbanization is a complex puzzle which is extremely difficult to comprehend. Yet, as academicians, it is our responsibility to study, comprehend, analyse, assimi- late, and express on salient happenings in our urban systems. The expressions aim at the larger sections of the society to disseminate technical evaluation in a compre- hensible note. This edition focuses on awaking the society on the contextual reality of urban India and also enabling policymakers with the situational understanding of Indian cities. It may provide the necessary tools and techniques to tackle the extreme situation of Indian cities. Some of the strategies are listed in the articles published in this book. The strategies are carefully crafted with profound thoughts behind each of it. Each author has demonstrated great skills and aptitude and recorded their observation with matured academic responsibility. This book covers two basic issues pertaining to India but with greater global implications. While half of the global population lives in cities, almost 900 million urban population lives in slums or slum-like situations. The situation is more difficult for developing countries like India. Unreleased data from socio-economic census in 2015 reveals that almost 35 % of urban India lives below poverty line. It is much higher than the govern- ment’s data of 26.4 %. In many publications and survey, the figure varies between 30 to 50 %. Census itself reveals that 65 million population lives in slums. There is a considerable amount of challenge lies ahead to developing Indian cities. Population starving in poverty plays a significant role for functioning urban India. Non- availability of those activities seriously jeopardise effective functioning of any Indian cities, particularly the bigger cities. Unequal distribution of asset and finan- cial capability resulted in denial of basic minimum services for a human being in these huge urban populations. In contrast, the cities also consist of sizable number of people who has the ability and knowledge to use resources, and create opportuni- ties and augment innovation for rapid growth of city and region. In a resource crunch society, the dilemma for policymakers is to choose between these two extreme priorities. At this moment, Indian cities are implementing strategies both for expanding minimal infrastructure and augmenting innovation in cities. These issues have been raised in several platforms but are forgotten in the aftermath. But we were determined to follow up the deliberations of the august gathering for Sustainable Built Environment 2015 conference at the sprawling campus of IIT Roorkee during April 10–12, 2015. The aim was to garner more meaningful contribution towards the soci- ety and the very people living in there. This book presents argument from contrast- ing quarters, which deliberates context from fulfilling basic amenities to innovative ideas for creative and smart cities. Authors in each part have presented their argu- ments through innovative work and working methodology. We hope that the ethos of this publication and every word printed in this book will further captivate the society to enhance knowledge to comprehend Indian urbanism. This book discusses on our understanding poverty and inequality and comprehend India’s journey towards smarter cities. It is also the responsibility of the editorial team to critically endure every word and see that all the efforts by the contributors become audible to the greater society. The purpose for this approach is to make it more holistic rather focusing on only one dimension of cities. We have piece together all the evidences from empirical study to theoretical argumentation and encourage critical views from the contributors. Therefore, it’s not only records the theoretical connotations but also showcases careful critique. This book covers two major issues which have profound impact on development of our society, community, neighbourhood, cities and regions. These issues are interrelated and have broader implications both region- ally and nationally. But somehow it is also connected in the very root of built envi- ronment which starts from an individual family, their shelter and networking with space and society. The book received overwhelming response from the contributors across the country. And, finally, all their ideas, thoughts and contributions have been combined in two volumes.