Former President APJ Abdul Kalam on Tuesday stressed the need to have carbon-free cities across the globe for happy and healthy living of citizens.
Delivering the keynote address at the plenary session of the XI World Metropolis Congress that is currently underway in Hyderabad, Dr Kalam suggested that the delegates should deliberate on building carbon-neutral and fossil-free urban conglomerations.
“To have carbon-neutral cities is my dream. Whether smart cities or over-smart cities, the urban areas should be places for healthy living,” Dr Kalam said adding that “healthy living is possible only if we adopt methods of generating solar power and create non-carbonised environment.”
The growing migration to urban areas poses challenge in creation of clean environment, he said.
Recalling his recent visit to Chandigarh, the former President said the city was built by a Swiss architect and an expert urban planner and there are several points that can be learnt from it.
Carlo Ratti, Professor at MIT, Boston, gave a power point presentation on sensible city while Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau focused on initiatives taken up by his city’s municipality.
Former DRDO chief VK Saraswat was the moderator at a panel discussion.
