Intro (Micro Notes Format):
Rural-urban integration is crucial for balanced development. Smart cities and smart villages are interdependent – development in one sustains the other.
Why Smart Cities Need Smart Villages:
- Migration pressure: Lack of rural opportunities leads to unplanned migration → urban slums, stress on city infrastructure.
- Food & raw material supply: Cities depend on villages for agricultural produce, dairy, and inputs.
- Labour and services: Urban industries and services often rely on rural-origin workers.
- Environmental impact: Deforestation, groundwater depletion in rural areas affects urban sustainability.
Smart Village Contributions:
- Digital infrastructure: E-governance, digital literacy reduce rural-urban divide.
- Agritech & skill training: Enhances income, reduces distress migration.
- Rural entrepreneurship: Local employment through food processing, crafts, tourism.
- Renewable energy: Decentralized power in villages reduces grid pressure on cities.
- Rural sanitation & health: Reduces disease spillovers to urban areas.
Need for Rural-Urban Integration:
- Transport, markets & communication linkages must connect both.
- Policy frameworks like Rurban Mission, PURA (Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas).
- Integrated planning through District & Regional Planning.
Conclusion:
Smart villages are foundational for sustainable smart cities. Rural upliftment ensures balanced development, social harmony, and long-term urban resilience.
