Unlock Bengaluru 2018
Bengaluru’s trajectory of unprecedented urbanisation and economic growth has brought with it the chaos of haphazard development that is negatively impacting human and environmental health. At Unlock Bengaluru on 21 July 2018, experts and practitioners from various sectors deliberated on these issues under broad themes like water, mobility, energy efficiency, urban governance, and the development of large corporate parks and residential townships.
WATER
Considering losses in distribution, underserved peripheries, and poor or insufficient facilities for the treatment of waste and sludge water, what are the alternatives for Bengaluru? The city needs to move the conversation beyond mere demand and supply and focus on better governance structures and robust institutions, which are critical for resilient water supply. Furthermore, we need to think beyond the disposal of waste and focus on the management of waste.
@zenrainman Focus only on resource and supply is a deficiency in current conversations around #DayZero. Good governance and robust institutions are critical for resilient water supply too. @SamratBasak01 #UnlockBLR @WRICitiesIndia
— Sahana Goswami (@anahas8) July 21, 2018
"There are enough experiences around large-scale management of waste today. Yet, today the focus seems to be on disposal rather than management of waste." - Wilma Rodrigues, CEO, @SaahasZeroWaste #DevelopersDialogue #UnlockBLR pic.twitter.com/SwZaUqo87p
— WRI India (@WRIIndia) July 21, 2018
ENERGY
With an increasing number of buildings being constructed in the city, how do we implement energy efficiency and renewable energy interventions for existing buildings which will be critical to creating a sustainable built environment in Bengaluru. The energy-saving potential via retrofits for apartment buildings in the city is huge. While there is a lot of technology available, adoption is slow, owing in part to poor information dissemination. Regulation will be a key driver in the process of implementation. Bengaluru needs strong enforcement of building codes and energy efficiency guidelines for apartment complexes, along with smart-metering technologies for common areas.
There is a lot of #technology available, adoption is slow, but there is definitely interest - Awdesh Chetal @thingshyper
— WRI Energy (@WRIEnergy) July 21, 2018
Regulation will be a key driver for the implementation of #energyefficiency solutions - Arvind MT
— WRI Energy (@WRIEnergy) July 21, 2018
With the enforcement of building codes and #energyefficiency guidelines for multi-story apartment complexes, how do you introduce smart-metering and better systems for common areas in #Bengaluru households? @malaviyasumedha #DevelopersDialogue #UnlockBLR pic.twitter.com/TngqlpX4bj
— WRI India (@WRIIndia) July 21, 2018
MOBILITY
With an estimated 80,000 taxis operating under the aggregator model, Bengaluru has witnessed first-hand how shared and electric mobility have led to a reorganization of ownership and delivery of transport. In this context, the city needs to rethink mobility planning. Successful models of transport delivery ensure coordination between city authorities and private players, using data and technology for commuter ease and operational effectiveness. Through initiatives like the Station Access and Mobility Program, the Better Bus Challenge, and the New Mobility Lab, WRI India strives to make mobility inclusive and accessible to all.
.@metro_bikes demonstrating their #lastmile solutions: a cycle, electric bike, and motorised two-wheeler at #STAMP2018 #UnlockBLR pic.twitter.com/8xkgyxsDuv
— WRI Cities India (@WRICitiesIndia) July 21, 2018
Announcing the winners of the #BetterBus Challenge: Small sparks, Cityflo and Cell Propulsion.
— WRI Cities India (@WRICitiesIndia) July 21, 2018
Special mention to Via and Ridlr. Congratulations to all! #UnlockBLR pic.twitter.com/j6JT1p3igJ
The new model of disruption should be mindful of the fact that mobility should be inclusive and accessible to all #nml18 #unlockBLR pic.twitter.com/BwURVK6URd
— Harshita Jamba (@h_jamba) July 21, 2018
DEVELOPMENTS
Bengaluru’s urban peripheries are dotted with large townships or corporate campuses. The city has seen 10,000 such developments since 2005, with more being constructed. While they present an opportunity to set in place efficient systems for water, electricity supply and consumption, and waste management, they also place massive stresses on transport networks and land requirements. City authorities tasked with providing public services to these areas need to work with the private developers to ensure accessibility and continuity with the existing road network.
Survey of gated communities showed challenges like safety concerns while traveling, poor road and pedestrian networks, poor access to #publictransport and a car-centric lifestyle. @WRIIndia #DevelopersDialogue #UnlockBLR
— WRI Cities India (@WRICitiesIndia) July 21, 2018
How can gated #communities be made porous, in a way that preserves the existing road grid? @WRIIndia #DevelopersDialogue #UnlockBLR
— WRI Cities India (@WRICitiesIndia) July 21, 2018
GOVERNANCE
As in most Indian cities, Bengaluru’s decisions are made at the state government level, with some power being held by the municipal corporation. In the context of rapid growth of the city beyond its municipal limits, and a host of related issues cropping up, how will the city decentralize governance in order to empower the metropolitan and local wards? Vertical domains within our existing governance structure have meant that departments work independently. The city needs to be empowered with the authority to plan and implement solutions in a coordinated manner. In addition, in an extreme city like Bengaluru with constraints of space, people need to be invested in the city to create cultural spaces that are public and useable.
"A huge problem with the existing #governance structure at the city level is vertical domains, which are working independently without any coordination. The power or the authority to plan and implement at the city level is missing." @OPAgarWRI @WRIIndia #Agenda2022 #UnlockBLR
— WRI Cities India (@WRICitiesIndia) July 21, 2018
Dr. Susmita Mohanty, CEO @Earth2Orbit speaks at #UnlockBLR on the challenges that emerge in #cities like #Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/vLO6xz4YqG
— WRI Cities India (@WRICitiesIndia) July 21, 2018
“There was a time when people built temples in their towns. Now is the time to build cultural spaces - places that are public and useable” - Arundhati Nag @rangashankara #UnlockBLR #ConversationsOverCoffee pic.twitter.com/PxyUzecHcD
— WRI India (@WRIIndia) July 21, 2018