It is official now - Germany will offer technical expertise to develop Coimbatore as a smart city. The civic body on Friday received an official communication regarding this from German ambassador Martin Ney. "After the elections, we will form the special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the smart city project. We will hold meetings with the German delegates and decide on further course of action," said city corporation commissioner, K Vijayakarthikeyan.
It was earlier reported that Germany would partner with the country to develop Coimbatore, Kochi and Bhubaneswar as smart cities. The three cities are among the 20 which are to be developed as smart cities, announced by Urban Development Ministry in January this year.
Civic body officials pointed out that many countries, including Singapore, USA, Australia and Belgium, had showed interest in assisting them in the project after the city won the smart city challenge. "It has become easier for us now as the government has decided to rope in Germany to lend technological expertise," said a senior corporation official.
Senior urban planners see in it a great opportunity. "Germany wanted to assist cities that put more emphasis on environment-friendly projects. And since our project included setting up of a non-motorised corridor and protection of city lakes, Germany was to keen to play a role in it," said a city-based urban planner.
"We will surely gain from their expertise in wastewater treatment, integrated computer technology solutions and equipment. Also, in the construction sector, Germany has a pre-cast concrete technology, which is extremely good, affordable and environmental friendly. Apart from technology sharing, knowledge transfer will also play a vital role," said an architect.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chancellor of Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel had agreed to cooperate on the smart city initiative. Based on this, Germany had set up a six-member joint committee with India to identify the cities to be rendered its assistance. The committee had two representatives of urban development ministry, one from the ministry of housing and urban poverty alleviation, and three from Germany. After two consultations, one held in Berlin on September last and another in New Delhi in March, the panel selected the three of the 20 shortlisted cities to assist them in their projects.
"Germany's expertise, experience and technological advances in urban planning and city governance will help the city in its smart city project," said an official.
It was earlier reported that Germany would partner with the country to develop Coimbatore, Kochi and Bhubaneswar as smart cities. The three cities are among the 20 which are to be developed as smart cities, announced by Urban Development Ministry in January this year.
Civic body officials pointed out that many countries, including Singapore, USA, Australia and Belgium, had showed interest in assisting them in the project after the city won the smart city challenge. "It has become easier for us now as the government has decided to rope in Germany to lend technological expertise," said a senior corporation official.
Senior urban planners see in it a great opportunity. "Germany wanted to assist cities that put more emphasis on environment-friendly projects. And since our project included setting up of a non-motorised corridor and protection of city lakes, Germany was to keen to play a role in it," said a city-based urban planner.
"We will surely gain from their expertise in wastewater treatment, integrated computer technology solutions and equipment. Also, in the construction sector, Germany has a pre-cast concrete technology, which is extremely good, affordable and environmental friendly. Apart from technology sharing, knowledge transfer will also play a vital role," said an architect.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chancellor of Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel had agreed to cooperate on the smart city initiative. Based on this, Germany had set up a six-member joint committee with India to identify the cities to be rendered its assistance. The committee had two representatives of urban development ministry, one from the ministry of housing and urban poverty alleviation, and three from Germany. After two consultations, one held in Berlin on September last and another in New Delhi in March, the panel selected the three of the 20 shortlisted cities to assist them in their projects.
"Germany's expertise, experience and technological advances in urban planning and city governance will help the city in its smart city project," said an official.