A Systems Approach to Urban Development
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. - Aristotle
Individuals who had contributed to urban development missions gathered in an informal get-together on the eve of Holi. During the campfire chat, one significant recommendation that emerged was the need to adopt a systems approach.
What is a systems approach?
A systems approach involves multiple parts working together to consistently fulfill one or several functions. These systems are largely autonomous but interact with each other to work in harmony, forming what is known as a "system of systems."
An apt example of a “system of systems” is the human body, which comprises various systems that work together. Similarly, cities consist of multiple systems, such as the transport system consisting of roads, vehicles, public transport, bus shelters, and so on. In a systems approach, all the projects in the transport system are planned, implemented, and operationalized together, in sync with digitalization. This process is known as integrated planning and implementation.
Currently, there is some integration at the planning stage but not during project execution or operations. Integrating all projects within a system ensures efficient operations and cost-effectiveness.
Applying the concept of integration to solid waste management operations, for instance, involves marking workers' attendance and monitoring garbage truck movements. In practice, workers are assigned designated spots where they are photographed, and the images are transmitted to a central control center for automatic attendance marking, eliminating the need for manual attendance.
Once workers are present, the focus shifts to monitoring street sweeping and garbage cleaning. Street cameras or mobile phones transmit real-time images to supervisors, enabling remote monitoring. This transparency enhances accountability and efficiency in municipal operations.
Urban-system missions
In urban-system missions, a systems approach identifies and executes projects to achieve multiple goals within a system simultaneously. This approach ensures that all projects within a system become operational at the same time, leading to synergistic outcomes greater than the sum of individual parts.
Some key systems in cities are listed below:
Electricity system - assured electricity supply, energy efficient street lighting and smart metering with at least 10% of the city’s energy requirement coming from rooftop solar,
Water system - taps for each household with running water, local waste water recycling, rainwater harvesting and storm water reuse,
Sanitation system - complete sanitation, including solid waste management.
Transport system - pedestrian-friendly pathways, encouragement to non-motorised transport (e.g. walking and cycling), intelligent traffic management and non-vehicle streets/zones,
Open spaces system - innovative use of open spaces, maintaining parks, having open space within walking distance and creating sports complexes, and
Safety system - ensure safety of citizens, especially women and elderly.
By making systems the fundamental building blocks of missions, governments can guarantee provision of amenities and basic services to residents, thereby enhancing the quality of life in cities.
(More details are available in the author’s book, Smart Cities Unbundled)
