There is a lot of talk going on regarding sustainable and equitable urban governance but very little is being done to implement the measures that are well known for ensuring this from implementation across the world. These measures are -
1. Installation of rooftop grid connected solar PV systems. While these will not be able to meet peak evening loads, but they will nevertheless reduce the demand for day time grid electricity. They also have some effect in reducing the heat in summer by shielding the roofs from the sun.2. Strict Banning of parking of both two and four wheeler motor vehicles on roads in both commercial and residential areas to decongest traffic and curtail air pollution. Vehicles have to be parked either inside private and commercial buildings or in designated parking areas and the charges for these should also be graded depending on the congestion in the area.
3. Integrated electrified public transport cum cycle system with smart card operation. This is the most important for ensuring sustainability and equity in transportation. It must be remembered that transportation is the second largest contributor to global warming after energy generation.
4. Rainwater harvesting and recharge. This is absolutely essential to eliminate the present unsustainable practice of pumping water to cities from ever more distant locations. Also this solves the problem of urban flooding which has become increasingly problematic with time.
5. Segregation of thrown away materials at the household or community level with composting of the greens in situ and the collection and local sorting of the dry by SHGs of women followed by sale to recyclers. This is the cheapest way to manage solid thrownaway materials.
6. Segregation of grey and black water at the household level followed by in situ treatment and reuse through dual plumbing systems. This considerably reduces the economic and ecological costs of used water treatment
and by reusing treated water
for non-potable uses , reduces the potable water demand.
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