Smart Cities Needs Smart Managers

Computed in a report by a global construction giant, 66 per cent of the world’s population will be living in the urban areas. An urban city is the one that has an uninterrupted supply of freshwater, universal access to cleaner energy, easy commutation routes, well constructed infrastructure and secure lifestyle. Other reasons why people strive to move to to a well constructed city or locality are major technological, economic and environmental changes have generated interest in smart cities, including climate change, proximity to workplace, entertainment, etc.

According to the Smart Cities Council, a smart city “uses information and communications technology (ICT) to enhance its livability, workability and sustainability. It collects information about itself using sensors, devices or other systems, and sends the data to an analytics system to understand what's happening now and what's likely to happen next.” The present Smart City Challenge takes into consideration converting hundred cities into smart ones. Though, the number may been quite small when the total number of cities into account, but the tasks in the checklist are quite a challenge.

The process is quite comprehensive and need to be well planned. Here are the step a smart manager takes into account:

Stage 1 - Planning

Smart professionals act smart. But what would these smart professionals do?

To start with they chart of the actionables required to meet the challenges. Starting with a master plan it will include land pooling, procuring resources, deploying finance, environmental clearance, etc. So in all, at the first stage, smart cities will need a lot of researchers, advisors, cost planners, valuation experts, strategic consulting, real estate consulting, investment managers to name a few.

Building smart cities will require a lot of capital investment.  Rs.48000 crore is allocated by the government for this task. To make this a success, prudent distribution of these funds along with ensuring their correct usage will require investment managers.

Professionals with an MBA in Real Estate, Infrastructure, Construction Project Management and Quantity Surveying will help to bridge this gap. RICS School of Built Environment is shaping young talent with industry driven knowledge to create this talent pool of specialized professionals.

Stage 2 – Feasibility tests

Smart city projects will require feasibility studies, understanding of the procurement, commercial and financial management of construction and many such areas. In such a scenario, there is requirement of experts who are a set of hugely diverse professionals equipped to essentially measure, value, protect and enhance all the world’s assets. The success of London 2012 Olympics was due to the feasibility studies done by chartered surveyors. Going forward India would need such quantity surveyors. Smart city projects would require chartered surveyors who are taught to work on all types of projects ranging from commercial offices, residential, hotel, hospital, and institutional buildings, industrial buildings, roads, highways, bridges, and infrastructure. Not to forget, the role of project managers will also be crucial at this stage. MBA in Construction Economics & Quantity Surveying will help to complete this task.

Stage 3 – Implementation

This is a stage when construction project managers and infrastructure project managers will play a significant role in shaping the futuristic cities. While construction project managers will take care of the construction of residential & commercial buildings; infrastructure project managers will overlook the transport, water, electricity, education, hospitals, connectivity, energy, etc of the cities. These are the aspects which will directly impact the quality of life of people by harnessing technology and smart usage.

Citizens will be the eyes and ears of the city with provisions for video crime monitoring. Waste management will lead to energy and fuel, while green buildings and renewable energy will see the light of the day. Smart meters and quality monitoring of water and energy along with intelligent traffic management and smart parking facilities will be available. Areas for recreation, education, health etc will be integral part of the city plan. To make all this a working reality, smart infrastructure project managers will be required in surplus. MBA in Construction Project Management will help one to do so.

To make sure everything is build/rebuild as per the plans and there are no costs and time overruns, we will be needing quantity surveyors. These professionals will not only manage the resources optimally but also ensure that the project sees its entire life cycle without disruptions. There is a demand of around 97000 quantity surveyors annually in India for which masters in real estate are needed to bridge the gap.

Stage 4 - Maintenance

A smart city essentially promotes the usage of public transport. People will switch to public transport if they find it more adequate and punctual. Be it connectivity of buses or metros; space for parking, pedestrians or cyclists – the need for effective and smart transit is immense. To plan and execute this, smart infrastructure project  managers will be required, this is clear but for long term usage, their role will be to maintain main civic amenities like transport, water, electricity, fuel, communications, waste management, hospitals, schools, hotels and entertainment, etc. Also buildings both residential and commercial spaces will need facility managers and consultants. This will again bring in the importance of an mba in construction management. With professionals equipped with a dedicated BBA/MBA degree in land, property, construction and infrastructure, India will see the dream of 100 smart cities turning into reality soon.