Retrofitting will introduce planning in an existing built-up area to achieve Smart City objectives, along with other objectives, to make the existing area more efficient and livable. In retrofitting, an area consisting of more than 500 acres will be identified by the city in consultation with citizens.
Retrofitting was selected as a strategy for ABD keeping in mind replicability issues as most areas in Indore will require retrofitting to be transformed as smart city areas and to preserve & enhance the existing heritage of the city. Retrofitting is being coupled with a Redevelopment Component to ensure land availability for provision of smart features and smart public facilities. The Redevelopment of selected Govt Land parcels in the area will also help monetize land making the Smart City Proposal (SCP) financially viable.
Since the land parcels for the new development in prime locations are scarce, the options available for rejuvenating CBDs are retrofitting and redevelopment. Redevelopment entails high capital expenditure, however retrofitting comparatively takes time, and has lower capital investment. People will need to invest in developing building facades, common areas within the building premises and in making the buildings energy efficient. The agencies responsible for the CBD (government agencies such as urban local body (ULB)/parastatal or private entities) will need to invest in both physical and technology infrastructures in order to adopt smart solutions across the CBDs. Retrofitting using smart components will improve the quality of life and delivery of services for the CBD residents which will further unlock the inherent land value of the CBD. Smart components are envisioned to make services available to citizens at the touch of their fingertips and will also make enough information available to citizens to help them customize their lifestyle and improve their standard of living with sustainable consumption.
