Introduction

Smart cities in India aim to reduce urban poverty by improving access to housing, transport, health, and digital services, while advancing distributive justice which implied fair sharing of public resources and opportunities across neighborhoods and social groups, especially the most vulnerable.

Body

Addressing Urban Poverty in Smart Cities

• Affordable Housing: Smart cities integrate Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY–Urban) for slum rehabilitation and affordable housing.
  • Eg: Ahmedabad Smart City constructed over 10,000 affordable housing units for slum dwellers.
• Slum Redevelopment and Upgradation: Use of GIS mapping and smart planning for in-situ slum rehabilitation.
  • Eg: Pune adopted GIS-based mapping for slum redevelopment under its Smart City plan.
• Skill Development and Livelihood Creation: Smart cities converge with DAY-NULM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission) to create jobs.
  • Eg: Indore smart city linked NULM to street-vendor training and e-rickshaw support.
• Improved Service Delivery: Smart metering, waste collection apps, and e-governance ensure poor households get uninterrupted utilities.
  • Eg: Bhubaneswar smart city implemented 24×7 water supply with household-level meters.
• Accessible Urban Mobility: Smart cities promote affordable, inclusive transport for low-income groups.
  • Eg: Kochi Smart City integrated metro with feeder auto-rickshaw services for daily wage workers.

Ensuring Distributive Justice in Smart Cities

• Inclusive Urban Planning: Participatory planning ensures poor communities have a voice.
  • Eg: Bhubaneswar’s Child-Friendly City Plan involved slum children in planning safe spaces.
• Equitable Resource Allocation: Focus on providing basic amenities to underserved areas, not just elite enclaves.
  • Eg: Indore Smart City extended 24×7 water supply to slum clusters, reducing inequity.
• Transparent Governance: Use of ICT (apps, grievance portals, dashboards) enhances accountability and fair distribution.
  • Eg: Surat Smart City’s e-governance portal allows real-time grievance redressal for poor households.
• Environmental Justice: Cleaner air, sanitation, and waste management improve quality of life for the poorest.
  • Eg: Indore Smart City’s waste segregation system benefited slum dwellers working as informal waste pickers.
• Gender and Social Equity: Women, migrants, and vulnerable groups integrated in policy design. Bhubaneswar Smart City established gender-sensitive public spaces and e-rickshaw support for women vendors.
• Integration with Welfare Schemes: Smart Cities Mission dovetails with PMAY, AMRUT, Swachh Bharat, and NULM to ensure distributive justice. 

Conclusion

Smart cities hold the potential to redefine India’s urban future not just with digital apps and infrastructure, but by ensuring that the poorest citizens have equal access to opportunities, dignity, and justice. Their success will be measured by how far they can bridge the gap between urban elites and the marginalized.

DOWNLOAD PDF