Smart-cities for India: Why not open-source villages?

Abstract

This concept paper examines the bases for the 100 smart-cities proposed in India—a partial solution is the adoption of leapfrogging technologies. It argues instead for the idea of smart-villages, like the PURA model proposed by Abdul Kalam, which could build up rural areas and mitigate migration. Better would be a scheme of open-source architecture/settlements supported by ICT, developable for rural areas; further, their inherent knowledge needs to be captured, preserved and adapted to today’s context.