International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research ISSN: 2455-8834 Volume:06, Issue:01 "January 2021" SMART CITY AND THE QUEST FOR INCLUSION: STUDY OF ARDH KUMBH 2019 AT PRAYAGRAJ CITY Kumari Nidhi (Research Scholar) G.B.Pant Social Science Institute, University of Allahabad DOI: 10.46609/IJSSER.2021.v06i01.016 URL: https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2021.v06i01.016 ABSTRACT This paper, therefore, is an effort to understand the practical impact of technocratic urban planning over the peripheral settlements in cities by particularly focusing on the planning of Ardh Kumbh 2019 in Prayagraj city. It is an exploratory study which tries to understand the survival strategy of slum dwellers particularly the Kevat community residing in the Triveni bandh slum which is the nearest slum to the Sangam and mela region. The study explores the opportunities and challenges brought by Ardh kumbh mela 2019 to these slum dwellers in comparison to previous melas. This study adopts an ethnographic approach to meet the objective of the study by conducting in-depth interviews and participant observations. We found in this study that smart planning has an even darker aspect of class dimension. It works on the principle of “creative destruction” under which marginalized and underprivileged are the one who suffer the most. Key-words: Smart City, Urban Inequality, livelihood exclusion, and religious fair Introduction Prayagraj is one of the hundred cities selected under Smart Cities Mission (SCM). Smart Cities Mission is known as the most transformational urban missions. The objective of the mission is to strengthen urban infrastructure through application of smart solutions and provide a better quality of life to citizens. Smart cities develop public spaces such as squares, waterfronts, parks, heritage precincts, traditional markets to make them vibrant urban spaces. In the approach of the Smart cities Mission, the objective is to promote cities that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of smart solutions. The focus is on sustainable and inclusive development and the idea is to look at compact areas, create a replicated both within and outside the smart city, catalyzing the creation of similar smart cities in various regions and parts of the country. Area-based development will transform existing areas, including slums into better planned ones, thereby improving liveability www.ijsser.org Copyright © IJSSER 2021, All rights reserved Page 237 International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research ISSN: 2455-8834 Volume:06, Issue:01 "January 2021" of the whole city. Application of smart solutions will enable cities to use technology, information and data to improve infrastructure and services. Comprehensive development in this way will improve quality of life, create employment and enhance incomes for all, especially the poor and the disadvantaged, leading to inclusive cities. This paper, therefore, is an effort to understand the practical impact of technocratic urban planning over the peripheral settlements in cities by particularly focusing on the planning of ardh kumbh 2019 in Prayagraj city. It is an exploratory study which tries to understand the survival strategy of slum dwellers particularly the Kevat community residing in the Triveni bandh slum which is the nearest slum to the Sangam and mela region. The study explores the opportunities and challenges brought by ardh kumbh mela 2019 to these slum dwellers in comparison to previous melas. This study adopts an ethnographic approach to meet the objective of the study by conducting in-depth interviews and participant observations. We found in this study that smart planning has an even darker aspect of class dimension. It works on the principle of “creative destruction” under which marginalized and underprivileged are the one who suffer the most. Smart city and Inequality: Conceptual debate Gilderbloom (2008) in his book titled “Invisible City” raised fundamental questions regarding housing for the elderly, the disabled and the poor. The author brings certain questions into light that why is it that some locales can offer affordable, accessible, and attractive housing, while the large majority of cities fail to do so. Most certainly this book calls for a new housing paradigm that makes the needs of marginalized population visible to policy makers. In addition, Harvey (2008) claims the right to city as a human right. According to him, the freedom to make and remake our cities and ourselves is, one of the most precious yet most neglected of our human rights. Mitra (2013) offers an explanation of limited poverty reduction in a situation of rapid economic growth. Smart cities will be more of everything that a 21st century urban planner, citizen and elected official want: more efficient, more sustainable, and more inclusive. Kondepudi (2015) provides an insight into what is meant by a Smart City and the underlying factors that make a city smart. The authors answer the question of “what constitutes a smart city” by presenting a multi-faceted approach including a detailed analysis of classical smart city definitions, attributes of a smart city, industry viewpoints and efforts by standards developing organizations. Ultimately, the authors propose a holistic definition of a smart city where “smart city means different things to different stakeholders, and therefore has a strong dependence on the”lens” through which a smart city is viewed. Roy (2016) argues that the smart city initiative, in its urge to replicate the developed economy model, became a carrier of neo-liberal urbanism, overlooking the range of diversity in Indian cities. The following issues are challenging the sustainability and inclusiveness of the initiative. Clark (2020) seems doubtful about the presumed notion behind Smart Cities Mission. In her book titled Uneven Innovation, Jennifer www.ijsser.org Copyright © IJSSER 2021, All rights reserved Page 238 International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research ISSN: 2455-8834 Volume:06, Issue:01 "January 2021" Clark considers the potential of these emerging technologies as well as their capacity to exacerbate existing inequalities and even produce new ones. She reframes the smart city concept within the trajectory of uneven development of cities and regions, as well as the long history of technocratic solutions to urban policy challenges. Clark argues that urban change driven by the technology sector is following the patterns that have previously led to imbalanced access, opportunities and outcomes. The tech sector needs the city, yet it exploits and maintains unequal arrangements, embedding labour flexibility and precarity in the built environment. Technology development, Uneven Innovation contends, is the easy part; understanding the city and its governance, regulation, access, participation, and representation – all of which are complex highly localized – is the real challenge. Clark’s critique leads to policy participations that present a path toward an alternative future in which smart cities result in more equitable communities. Historical background of Prayagraj city The lack of housing and basic services at the required pace to meet the challenges of urbanization has resulted in the development of slums and squatter settlements with wider ramifications on the health, safety and well-being of the citizens. In 2001, there were 23.5 percent of households in urban areas which were living in slums. In 2011, it has come down to 17.4 percent. But there are still 13.74 million slum households and 68 million people living in the slum areas (Census, 2011). In context of Uttar Pradesh, though the state is considered as one of the less urbanized states of India, it has second largest urban population in the country. About 22% of the population lives in urban areas in Uttar Pradesh, which constitute more than 44 million. As per the statistics of committee on Slum Statistics/census, 2011, Government of India, about 10.8 million urban population of Uttar Pradesh is living in slums, which constitute about 24% in urban population. In spite of various central and state government programmes implemented in the state the problem of urban poverty and slums is still prevailing on large scale. The state of Uttar Pradesh is one of the prominent states in the North eastern region of India with Lucknow as its capital, falling under „A‟ category1 with Allahabad classified as „B‟ category city. Allahabad Municipal Corporation, is one of the old municipalities of the state and it came into existence in the year 1864. Mythological importance of Prayagraj city The city was known earlier as Prayaga which existed from Vedic period. Excavation in the town states that city is originated before 700 B.C. Many ancient kingdoms conquered prayaga and made it as their capital, the important kingdoms are Maurayans, Guptas and Kushans, etc. Later, the Mughals took over and Prayag rose to prominence. Akbar built a magnificent fort (viz. Allahabad fort), on the banks of the holy sangam and named the town as Illahabad in 1575. Later in 1805 the city was ceded to British by Nawab of Awadh after losing battle of Bauxar. www.ijsser.org Copyright © IJSSER 2021, All rights reserved Page 239 International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research ISSN: 2455-8834 Volume:06, Issue:01 "January 2021" Allahabad was active during Indian Mutiny, 1857. After mutiny was quelled, the British established the High Court, the Police Headquarters and the Public Service Commission in the city. This transformed Allahabad into an administrative center and served as capital of United Province from 1877 to 1920. After the independence, in 1949 Uttar Pradesh state was formulated Lucknow as its capital. Prayagraj is the most important pilgrim,age centre for Hindus because of the significance of the confluence of the holy river Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati river. According to legends, Vishnu was carrying a Kumbh (pot) of amrit (nectar), when a scuffle broke out and four drops were spilled.