EDITORIAL

First of all let me thank all those readers who managed to find some time to pour basket full of appreciations to the contents provided in respect of 'Smart Cities' in our last edition. We are overwhelmed by the responses and indirectly inspired so to say. Indian Cities contribute to over 65% of the country's GDP and are playing a major part in the economic development. In the context of 'developing India' scenario and in the backdrop of demographic boom in cities, two things come out: The strong irreversible trend in urbanisation resulting in urban land mass congestion and secondly, a probable solution from town planner's perspective, establishment of Smart Cities away from the core cities. Even today, the confusion whether existing cities would be converted into smart cities or smart cities shall be developed in the outskirts establishing

uninterrupted connectivity, prevails. It would be wise and appropriate to develop smart cities away from the existing congested core, reduce the burden on natural environment due to built environment and connect the two with seamless transportation. While most of our cities are bursting with major deficiencies in urban infrastructure, citizen's services, as well as governance mechanism, the grand master plan of Government of India in making it's dreams come true, plans to integrate smart city concept with 'Make in India', 'Swachha Bharath' programs along with National Urban Development Mission for 500 cities, as recently announced by the Honourable PM. The very idea of integration entails new concepts in sustainable development based on 3R (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle) principle following plethora of energy efficient systems.

According to one of the recently published reports on reduce, reuse and recycle (3R) practices, India has been rated poor in construction and demolition waste management while reusing facilities, recycling facilities have a moderate existence. The report also observes, "in majority cases stakeholder's willingness in respect of sorting, segregation, storage and monitoring facilities is practically unknown"-obviously not a happy situation.

Paradoxically, when we are talking about evolving smart cities and making India proud, some state governments introduce innovative schemes to legalise unauthorised buildings in the city just to fill their coffers adding to the agony of city dwellers. What a shame!

Built Constructions in its continuous endeavour to disseminate the relevant knowledge to its readers, touches upon several issues related to construction and demolition waste in this edition including India's First Recycling Facility in New Delhi and different Green Rating Systems. We hope, effective recycling and reusing of waste building materials reduce the demand for new materials and avoid mixing of C & D waste with bio-degradable waste- resulting in a healthy natural environment.