Editing Urban Planning: Sulakshana Mahajan's Rebellious Ideas (section)

==Sulakshana Mahajan's Perspective on 'Smart City' and 'Public Transport'==

Sulakshana Mahajan holds significant views on both the Smart City concept and Public Transport management. Her perspective consistently prioritizes people's needs over technology.

<b>1. Smart City Concept</b>

 * 'Smartness' Based on Need: In her view, a 'Smart City' is not just about using expensive technology. Technology should be used to solve the city's core problems, not merely because it is available. Smartness should focus on solving citizens' life problems.

 * Smart City For All: She wrote the book Smart City – Sarvānsāṭhī (2016) to provide an in-depth commentary on the subject. The benefits of city development should not be limited to the high-income group but must be useful and accessible for the city's poor and common citizens.

 * Basic Infrastructure First: Before becoming 'Smart,' a city must have 'Fundamental' (Paayābhūt) services. She argues that if a city lacks clean drinking water and proper sewage systems, it does not become smart by simply providing Wi-Fi or installing sensors. Technology is only useful after basic amenities are met.

 * Governance and Transparency: She emphasizes that 'Smart' technology should be used to bring transparency to administration and expedite citizen services.

<b>2. Priority to public transport</b>

 * Support for Bus Investment: She believes that instead of overspending on expensive projects like Metro or Monorail, strengthening and expanding bus transport systems like TMT is more essential and people-oriented. Bus service is more flexible and affordable for the common citizen.

 * Citizen-Centricity: A good public transport system helps reduce poverty as it provides people with cheap travel to workplaces and saves their commuting time. Public transport is what brings people in the city to a common level.

 * Controlling Private Vehicles: The use of private vehicles will not decrease without an effective public transport system. Reducing private vehicle use is essential for both the environment and traffic.

 * Influence of 'Cities for People': Her Marathi translation of Jan Gehl's internationally acclaimed book, Cities for People (Asāvee Shahare Āpulī Chhān), validates her views. Gehl's perspective prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists, which reinforces Mahajan's belief that public spaces and roads should be the right of the people, not just vehicles.