Urban Longings - "A Carbon Neutral City is my Dream"

"This is an article from Times of India, 19th Sep, 2010 Edition."

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam with Srijan Pal Singh

"Dreams transform into thoughts, Thoughts result into action"

What should the city of the future be? However varied the items on this wish list, you can be certain that no one wants it to be like our present cities. What alchemy of infrastructure and emotion creates the perfect place in which to live, work and play? Is such an ideal even possible given the demands, pressures and constraints? In a 360-degree discussion, India's leading minds lay out their own astute blueprint.

I have visited hundreds of cities across the world, but not one of them comes close to my ideal. So, what is the profile of my dream city? It should have a population of not more than five million, generate its own power through green sources, be a vibrant economy where everyone has access to clean energy and clean water, use bio-fuel and insist on rainwater harvesting, and is full of parks and trees. In short, it should be the flag-bearer of eco-friendly habitats, which aim at complete carbon neutrality.

Increasing Population and Growing Cities

Between 1 AD and the start of the industrial revolution in the early 1800s, human population had grown from approximately 230 million to 1 billion, i.e. 0.8 per cent every decade. However, in the next 180 years, it has multiplied to the current 6.5 billion-plus, which represents a decadal growth of over 11 per cent. In the past century alone, the population quadrupled.

Population growth has been closely accompanied by a simultaneous rise in both wealth creation and extreme poverty. However, there has also been healthcare improvements due to the advancement of life sciences. With the network of global trade routes, fossil fuel-based technologies, industrialisation and mechanisation, the world income per  capita has also grown rapidly nine times in just the past 150 years.

There is a specific aspect to population growth - it is largely concentrated in a few geographical locations. This has led to the emergence of large, very densely-populated cities. For example, in the year 1800, London was the largest city in the world with a population of around 1 million. By 1960, our planet had 111 cities with over a million people. This number stands at 300 today, and still counting.

This concentration of population adds to the pressure on resources at the local level and leads to severe resource scarcities. With increasing wealth and hence increasing per capita energy consumption, the threat of climate change looms large on humanity. So, modern cities have to address the two-pronged challenge of better living standard with reduced emissions. The 21st Century city has to progressively move towards achieving carbon neutrality.

Organising Cities as a Cluster of Micro-cities

Today, our challenge is to achieve better city organisation. Improper planning leads to intra-city ‘micro-migration’ every day. In the optimal scenario, each city, even one with a population of 5 million, should be reorganised so that it comprises a city centre with a population of 1-2 million and containing administrative, government and large corporate offices surrounded by satellite micro-cities with less than a million people each.

Each of these micro-cities has to be developed independently and equally, furnishing them with good schools and colleges, leisure and cultural opportunities, quality hospitals, planned housing for all classes and, above all, a capacity for employment generation. Each micro-city must be well networked within itself with a ring road and high-speed bus services. The micro-cities, in all directions, should then be connected to the city centre through a multi-mode, high-speed mass transit system. This would spell goodbye to today’s harrowing and wasteful commutes.

Green Fuels and Eco-friendly Transport system

Transport is to blame for about 13 per cent of the total emissions worldwide. Moreover, the fossil fuel being used for running our cars is largely imported. In fact, in times of soaring oil prices, the import bill for petroleum went up to $ 80 billion. Every litre of petrol or diesel burnt in vehicles contributes about 2.7 kg of C02 equivalent emissions Thus, in a year; an average car would emit about 10 tonnes of CO2.

The 21st century city will have to base its transport on a network of high speed, reliable mass transit systems. Bicycling is a healthy option for both individuals and the cities they live in. Apart from the creation of safe and speedy cycling lanes, bike rentals even on an hourly basis should be institutionalised. Hybrid cars, which use solar and bio-fuel, also need to be encouraged through civic policies, financial incentives and public awareness drives.

Smart Building

Buildings use 50 per cent of global energy and account for comparable heat-trapping emissions. Integrated design with multiple energy efficiency measures can reduce energy use by at least half; indeed a cut of 80 per cent has been achieved. The emerging trends of intelligent buildings and green buildings entail the use of modern technology, smart materials and eco-friendly designs. For example, hollow building material made out of fly ash is not only more environment friendly, but also a better insulator of heat and cold and so a greater energy saver. The comfort conditions of intelligent buildings could be monitored and tailored using new processing tools like neural networks and fuzzy logic.

The future holds a lot of promise as new concepts in nano-technology, smart materials and design software will unleash an era of efficient and sustainable buildings. Edgy green enterprises will give birth to the cadre of green corridor jobs - those centered on businesses, which either supply green power or green power-generating equipment.

Clean Energy and Energy from Waste

One of the widest paths to achieving carbon neutrality is to transform the way energy is generated and supplied Today's systems account for more than 26 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions. Our best option is one we haven't tapped at all: the technologies now available, which use municipal waste. Studies indicate that as much as 5800 MW of power can be generated via garbage-fuelled electric power plants spread across the country. Medium and small enterprises can set these up with assistance from banks.

One recently came across a 'plasma- enhanced melter system’ in which a high-temperature DC plasma arc is used to gasify the waste in a steam reforming atmosphere to convert organic material into a synthesis gas. This is a mixture of mostly hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which is kinder to the environment. Similarly, wind and solar micro plants can be used to supplement conventional fossil power sources. Through law and incentives, every building should be installed with solar plants and small-scale horizontal axis wind plants which can supply at least 25 per cent of the energy needed.

Eco Zones

Our future cities will have to integrate mini-forest zones wherever possible. These forests can be planted with high-growth varieties and can also act as economically feasible eco-parks attracting a diversity of flora and fauna. School children and youth need to be mobilised to populate these eco zones and their own neighbourhood with trees. Every tree is capable of absorbing 20 kg of CO2 every year directly from the atmosphere, besides the indirect positive impact on the environment via cooling and shade effects.

A combined, integrated and participative approach would make the dream of a carbon neutral city into a reality. And it will be a wonderful world again.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, India’s 11th President, humanised Rashtrapati Bhavan like no other. Earlier, he had earned the label of "The Missile Man" for developing and operationalising the Agni and Prithvi missiles. He was also project director for the country's first indigenous satellite launch vehicle - SLV-III. Now, at 79, he devotes his still prodigious energy to igniting young minds, doing this with passion and a child-like infectious charm. The Bharat Ratna was bestowed on him in 1997.

Srijan Pal Singh is an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and an expert in Environment and Development working with the Former President.

A real story... A conversation between a passenger and Software Engineer in Shatabdi Train.

Dear all,

"Once again a documentation - Another mail which touched my heart, hope it does for you too, its a bit long, but really worth reading it" - I hope at least third post would be my own writing :)

Vivek Pradhan was not a happy man.. Even the plush comfort of the Air-conditioned compartment of the Shatabdi express could not cool his frayed nerves. He was the Project Manager and was still not entitled to Air travel. It was not the prestige he sought, he had tried to reason with the admin person, it was the savings in time. As PM, he had so many things to do!!

He opened his case and took out the laptop, determined to put the time to some good use.

'Are you from the software industry sir,' the man beside him was

Staring appreciatively at the laptop. Vivek glanced briefly and mumbled in affirmation, handling the laptop now with exaggerated care and importance as if it were an expensive car.

'You people have brought so much advancement to the country, Sir. Today everything is getting computerized. '

‘Thanks,' smiled Vivek, turning around to give the man a look. He always found it difficult to resist appreciation. The man was young and stockily built like a sportsman... .. He looked simple and strangely out of place in that little lap of luxury like a small town boy in a prep school. He probably was a railway sportsman making the most of his free traveling pass.

'You people always amaze me,' the man continued, 'You sit in an office and write something on a computer and it does so many big things outside.'

Vivek smiled deprecatingly. Naiveness demanded reasoning not anger. 'It is not as simple as that my friend. It is not just a question of writing a few lines. There is a lot of process that goes behind it.'

For a moment, he was tempted to explain the entire Software

Development Lifecycle but restrained himself to a single statement. 'It is complex, very complex.'
'It has to be. No wonder you people are so highly paid,' came the reply.

This was not turning out as Vivek had thought. A hint of belligerence crept into his so far affable, persuasive tone.

'Everyone just sees the money. No one sees the amount of hard work we have to put in. Indians have such a narrow concept of hard work. Just because we sit in an air-conditioned office, does not mean our brows do not sweat. You exercise the muscle; we exercise the mind and believe me that is no less taxing.'

He could see, he had the man where he wanted, and it was time to drive home the point. 'Let me give you an example. Take this train. The entire railway reservation system is computerized. You can book a train ticket between any two stations from any of the hundreds of computerized booking centers across the country. Thousands of transactions accessing a single database, at a time concurrently; data integrity, locking, data security. Do you Understand the complexity in designing and coding such a system?'

The man was awestruck; quite like a child at a planetarium. This was something big and beyond his imagination. 'You design and code such things.'

'I used to,' Vivek paused for effect, 'but now I am the Project Manager.'

'Oh!' sighed the man, as if the storm had passed over, 'so your life is easy now.'

This was like the last straw for Vivek. He retorted, 'Oh come on, does life ever get easy as you go up the ladder. Responsibility only brings more work. Design and coding! That is the easier part. Now I do not do it, but I am responsible for it and believe me, that is far more stressful. My job is to get the work done in time and with the highest quality'.

He continued, 'To tell you about the pressures, there is the customer at one end, always changing his requirements, the user at the other wanting something else, and your boss, always expecting you to have finished it yesterday.'

Vivek paused in his diatribe, his belligerence fading with

Self-realization. What he had said, was not merely the outburst of a wronged man, it was the truth. And one need not get angry while defending the truth.

My friend,' he concluded triumphantly, 'you don't know what it is to be in the Line of Fire'.

The man sat back in his chair, his eyes closed as if in realization.

When he spoke after sometime, it was with a calm certainty that Surprised Vivek.

'I know sir,..... I know what it is to be in the Line of Fire......'

He was staring blankly, as if no passenger, no train existed, just a vast expanse of time.

'There were 30 of us when we were ordered to capture Point 4875 in the cover of the night. The enemy was firing from the top. There was no knowing where the next bullet was going to come from and for whom. In the morning when we finally hoisted the tri-colour at the top only 4 of us were alive.'

'You are a...?'

'I am Subedar Sushant from the 13 J&K Rifles on duty at Peak 4875 in Kargil. They tell me I have completed my term and can opt for a soft assignment. But, tell me sir, can one give up duty just because it makes life easier. On the dawn of that capture, one of my colleagues lay injured in the snow, open to enemy fire while we were hiding behind a bunker. It was my job to go and fetch that soldier to safety. But my captain sahib refused me permission and went ahead himself.

He said that the first pledge he had taken as a Gentleman Cadet was to put the safety and welfare of the nation foremost followed by the safety and welfare of the men he commanded... ....his own personal safety came last, always and every time.'

'He was killed as he shielded and brought that injured soldier into the bunker.Every morning thereafter, as we stood guard, I could see him taking all those bullets, which were actually meant for me. I know sir....I know, what it is to be in the Line of Fire.'

Vivek looked at him in disbelief not sure of how to respond. Abruptly, he switched off the laptop. It seemed trivial, even insulting to edit a Word document in the presence of a man for whom valour and duty was a daily part of life; valour and sense of duty which he had so far attributed only to epical heroes.

The train slowed down as it pulled into the station, and Subedar Sushant picked up his bags to alight. 'It was nice meeting you sir.'

Vivek fumbled with the handshake.

This hand... had climbed mountains, pressed the trigger, and hoisted the tri-colour. Suddenly, as if by impulse, he stood up at attention and his right hand went up in an impromptu salute....
It was the least he felt he could do for the country.

PS : The incident he narrated during the capture of Peak 4875 is a true-life incident during the Kargil war. Capt. Batra sacrificed his life while trying to save one of the men he commanded, as victory was within sight. For this and various other acts of bravery, he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the nation's highest military award.

Live humbly, there are great people around us, let us learn!

EVERYONE U MEET IS FIGHTING A HARD BATTLE !

Received as Posted….

Jai Hind

Common Man

A story that touches your heart....

Dear all,

This is one of the best mail, I received. Even though many of you had received this mail, I thought it is worth to document it some where, So I am posting this mail as my first blog.

I was walking around in a Big Bazar store making shopping, when I saw a Cashier talking to a boy couldn't have been more than 5 or 6 years Old.

The Cashier said, 'I'm sorry, but you don't have enough money to buy this doll. Then the little boy turned to me and asked: ''Uncle, are you sure I don't have enough money?''

I counted his cash and replied: ''You know that you don't have enough money to buy the doll, my dear.'' The little boy was still holding the doll in his hand.

Finally, I walked toward him and I asked him who he wished to give this doll to. 'It's the doll that my sister loved most and wanted so much . I wanted to Gift her for her BIRTHDAY.

I have to give the doll to my mommy so that she can give it to my sister when she goes there.' His eyes were so sad while saying this.

'My Sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mommy is going to see God very soon too, so I thought that she could take the doll with her to give it to my sister..''

My heart nearly stopped. The little boy looked up at me and said: 'I told daddy to tell mommy not to go yet. I need her to wait until I come back from the mall.' Then he showed me a very nice photo of him where he was laughing. He then told me 'I want mommy to take my picture with her so my sister won't forget me.' 'I love my mommy and I wish she doesn't have to leave me, but daddy says that she has to go to be with my little sister.' Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly..

I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the boy. 'Suppose we check Again, just in case you do have enough money for the doll?''

'OK' he said, 'I hope I do have enough.' I added some of my money to his with out him seeing and we started to count it. There was enough For the doll and even some spare money.

The little boy said: 'Thank you God for giving me enough money!'

Then he looked at me and added, 'I asked last night before I went to sleep for God to make sure I had enough money to buy this doll, so that mommy could give It to my sister. He heard me!'' 'I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white rose for my mommy, but I didn't dare to ask God for too much. But He gave me enough to buy the doll and a white rose. My mommy loves white roses.'

I finished my shopping in a totally different state from when I started. I couldn't get the little boy out of my mind. Then I remembered a local news paper article two days ago, which mentioned a drunk man in a truck, who hit a car occupied by a young woman and a little girl. The little girl died right away, and the mother was left in a critical state. The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on the life-sustaining machine, because the young woman would not be able to recover from the coma. Was this the family of the little boy?

Two days after this encounter with the little boy, I read in the news paper that the young woman had passed away.. I couldn't stop myself as I bought a bunch of white roses and I went to the funeral home where the body of the young woman was exposed for people to see and make last wishes before her burial. She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful white rose in her hand with the photo of the little boy and the doll placed over her chest. I left the place, teary-eyed, feeling that my life had been changed for ever...

The love that the little boy had for his mother and his sister is still, to this day, hard to imagine. And in a fraction of a second, a drunk driver had taken all this away from him.

Please DO NOT DRINK & DRIVE.