"An Assessment of the Cost of Upgrading and Managing Urban Infrastructure in Indian Mega-cities for the purpose of enhanced Public Safety"

- a PhD Research Proposal by Susmita Sinha, an M.Tech. Student in Civil Engineering (Constr. Engg & Mngmt), IIT Delhi.

(the funky philosopher, i.e., Miss Sinha, finally came up with ideas that can actually be of some relevance and can involve multi-disciplinary research work) Now the problem is: whether to succumb to the lure of comfortable corporate life, or to serve some good cause on a meager stipend. there is time to weigh all options and do what is right.
The scope of work may include:
Evaluation of the urban elements and socioeconomic factors that pose a threat to public safety A general study of Urban Infrastructure (CEL866 Infrastructure Development and Management course) Study of the cost requirements for establishing new infrastructure in cities Field analysis and survey of a pilot area/locality in New Delhi - to study existing civic amenities, public places, transport facilities, etc. Identification of "crime-prone" areas in the city (from police and news reports) Case study of the urban infrastructure in cities which rank high on public safety (both developed and developing countries) Comparative analysis of public spaces and safety measures in the cities studied Identification of public sector authorities and private sector agencies which deal with the design and building of urban infrastructure, public safety, law-enforcement, etc. Request for input and suggestions from the agencies identified (in Point No. 8) Assessment of area-specific up-gradation measures (for the pilot locality in New Delhi) Estimation of Costs: repairs, dismantling, design, new establishment/installation, materials, maintenance, vigilance, deployment of security personnel (where required), monitoring, etc. Implementation measures: a report can be submitted to local civic authorities or other appropriate agencies Further scope of work could incorporate the study of rural infrastructure and evolving implementation measures for the rural context.
Background of the topic, and motivation: an interest in pursuing a research topic which utilizes technical know-how to create positive social impact. a visit to the Open House at IIT Delhi was instrumental in providing the necessary impetus for the idea. awareness regarding increasing incidents of criminal activities in Indian cities. involvement in self-initiated efforts to increase awareness about individual & social responsibility (http://iamstrongwalk.blogspot.com) prior work-experience in following "Urban Renewal" projects - #1: A proposal for re-vitalization of the urban core in Ranchi (as B.Arch. student at BIT Mesra). The findings were presented to Urban Development Secretary, Govt. of Jharkhand. A paper-abstract was selected for a conference in Australia for sustainable development #2: Work on "Built-environment Modeling for Urban Renewal" of DLF City in Gurgaon (as Project Associate at IIT Delhi) Work on BOQs and cost estimation for small and middle-scale projects as Intern Architect at Mani Chowfla Architects & Consultants, New Delhi (formerly headed by the late Joseph Allen Stein of India Habitat Centre fame) a self-initiated visit to cities like Vienna, Zurich, Geneva, Stockholm and Munich (also the city for DAAD scholarship stay in Germany); an informal analysis of the public places, transport facilities, and safety measures in aforesaid cities which are among top 10 in the world for best "quality of living" * a visit to "Mittelstand" in villages of Bavaria (Germany) and Austria*, scheduled for July 9, 2013, and organized by IKOM of TU-Munich. (Mittelstands are small-and-medium-enterprises that ensure economic and social stability for the German populace even in the midst of Eurozone crisis). Based on the principle of internal clients, yet manufacturing export-quality products that generate income and provide work to the people. Such initiatives could enable better socio-economic security by providing more employment opportunities in Indian villages. This could also help to reduce the burden caused by excessive migration to cities. an informal study of civic amenities and public infrastructure in villages and small towns of Europe (Namur and Charleroi in Belgium; Menton in France; Interlaken in Switzerland) continued use of public transport in New Delhi for analyzing the general problems faced by the people a wish to help create better facilities in the Indian context, which shall be at par with global standards in terms of quality and public safety *Some useful web-links: http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/9136.aspx http://www.usa.siemens.com/sustainable-cities/ http://www.gfmag.com/tools/global-database/ne-data/11938-best-cities-to-live.html#axzz2SulKjk76 http://americanlivewire.com/safest-cities-in-the-world/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World's_most_livable_cities http://voteyourselfafarmer.com/sustainable-infrastructure-public-safety/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mittelstand http://www.bmwi.de/English/Redaktion/Pdf/factbook-german-mittelstand,property=pdf,bereich=bmwi2012,sprache=en,rwb=true.pdf
hoping that the topic would find decent takers (read: good Universities)! Also hoping that no one would copy the idea. and if they do, please give credit to the funky philosopher (Miss Sinha).

In-different Observation # 8

the extent of one's knowledge can be found out by knowing what length a person goes to guard their ignorance...