Liveable, vibrant cities are absolutely critical to our prosperity. (They are) where the bulk of our economic growth can be found … (and they are) economic assets. Making sure that Australia is a wonderful place to live in, that our cities and indeed our regional centers which are wonderful places to live, is an absolutely key priority of every level of government. Because the most valuable capital in the world today is not financial capital … it’s human capital,” said Malcolm Turnbull, the Prime Minister of Australia.
What is underlined in this statement is the importance given to the Human Capital. In this 21st century everything is planned keeping human at the centre. The concept of liveable settlements is not a new concept for India. If we go back to our ancient civilization the townships and villages then were very much liveable. They were well planned with good connectivity, ample water supply, clean environment, good health and education facilities, well planned markets, the agriculture and cottage industries created employment opportunities making the settlement self-sustained.
However, after the rapid industrialization the cities grew in haphazard manner and the increasing migration from rural to urban has hit both cities and villages, making them unliveable.
When we talk of liveable cities one cannot apply a single formula to all the cities world over. Every city has a brand personality and identity of its own. Preserving its cultural heritage and its identity the planners will have to plan things according to the people living there in and their needs and demands.
In the 18th century, one of London’s pioneer police magistrates, Henry Fielding, opened the drive to keep the streets of London clear of crime and vice to make it liveable for the citizens. But in the course of his work Fielding also went out of his way to help prostitutes and petty criminals. He understood that the city was made up of all sorts of people with different values and cultures. And every one has to be taken care off.
Even after three centuries the problems of cities have not changes so the foundation laid Fielding is taken as base when planners plan for cities to make it liveable.
When we plan for smart cities, liveable cities and sustainable development the big question remains unanswered. That is the economical viability of these developments. Will it make change for poorest of the poor leaving there in?
Girijashankar one of senior most journalist who worked on Chhattisgarh tribal once said “ the tribal in Bastar in Chhattisgarh don’t want roads to their villages as increasing traffic on the roads make their village unliveable.” This shows what standards we set for liveability may not suit the people living there in. When we talk of increasing intolerance among the human beings, it is directly related to the concept of liveability. The unliveable conditions have pushed the frustrations of every individual to a level where he overreacts on small issues creating an atmosphere of intolerance in the society.
Hence lot will have to be done but not alone by the planners and government the people living there in will have to take lead to make it their own place liveable.