Question

Under the Smart Cities Mission in India, what is the emphasis of "Area-Based Development"?

• A. Prioritizing centralized development projects
• B. Focusing exclusively on luxury housing complexes
• C. Promoting inclusive development of specific city zones
• D. Ignoring the need for infrastructure upgrades

Hint:

Smart Cities Mission's Area-Based Development (ABD) includes retrofitting, redevelopment, and greenfield development of selected local areas.
The core idea is to create replicable models of smart development within specific zones of a city.
This development aims to be inclusive, improving infrastructure and quality of life for citizens in that area.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The Smart Cities Mission in India has two main strategic components: Pan-City Development and Area-Based Development (ABD). Area-Based Development focuses on transforming existing areas or developing new areas to make them smarter and more livable. This includes strategies like:
City Improvement (Retrofitting): Developing an existing built-up area of at least 500 acres to make it more efficient and livable. This involves addressing existing infrastructure and introducing smart solutions.
City Renewal (Redevelopment): Replacing an existing built-up area of more than 50 acres with a new layout, enhanced infrastructure, and smart solutions.
City Extension (Greenfield Development): Developing a vacant area of more than 250 acres with smart solutions, typically on the outskirts of the city. A key emphasis of ABD is on promoting inclusive development of specific city zones. This means improving the quality of life for all residents in the chosen area, including aspects like housing, water supply, sanitation, electricity, mobility, IT connectivity, e-governance, safety, and citizen participation. It is not about centralized projects for the whole city under ABD, nor exclusively luxury housing, nor ignoring infrastructure. Option (c) best captures this emphasis. \[ \boxed{\text{Promoting inclusive development of specific city zones}} \]