Smart City to conduct full study on Panaji revitalisation – The Times of India

Report on the Comprehensive Revitalisation Study for Panaji City

Project Mandate and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) has initiated a project to conduct a comprehensive study for the revitalisation of Panaji’s core business and heritage zones. This initiative is fundamentally aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on creating resilient, sustainable, and culturally rich urban environments.

Core Assessment Areas and Infrastructure Resilience (SDG 9 & SDG 6)

The study will undertake a detailed assessment of the city’s critical infrastructure to gauge its integrity and plan for modernization. This directly supports SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by aiming to build resilient and sustainable infrastructure. The key areas of assessment include:

• Road networks
• Drainage systems
• Waterworks

By evaluating the condition of drains and waterworks, the project also contributes to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, ensuring the sustainable management of these essential services for the community.

Preservation of Cultural Heritage (SDG 11)

A significant component of the project is dedicated to the preservation of Panaji’s heritage structures, which is a core target of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. The initiative will place special emphasis on:

• Fontainhas’ Latin Quarter: As a UNESCO-recognised heritage zone, this area will receive focused attention to preserve its unique Portuguese colonial architecture, narrow streets, and cultural spaces.
• Heritage Precinct Restoration: The study will identify historic buildings in need of restoration and determine the extent of intervention required.
• Enhancement of Public Areas: The project aims to improve public spaces within these heritage zones, making them more accessible and inclusive.

Project Implementation and Governance (SDG 17)

The project’s execution involves a structured, multi-stakeholder approach, reflecting the principles of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The implementation plan is as follows:

1. Consultant Selection: IPSCDL is in the process of selecting a consultant to prepare a concept plan. The contract is estimated at approximately Rs 97 lakh and will be funded through the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (2025–26) scheme.
2. Comprehensive Assessment: The appointed consultant will conduct a detailed analysis, which includes traffic studies, structural design, drainage planning, 3D modelling, drone tests, and the preparation of engineering reports and cost estimates.
3. Government Review: The completed study is scheduled for submission to the government for review by December 15.
4. Implementation Phase: The final revitalisation project will be implemented based on the recommendations and directives provided by the government following its review.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Panaji Revitalisation Project

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Panaji revitalisation project, led by Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL), addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its focus on urban infrastructure, heritage preservation, and city planning.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: This is the most prominent SDG addressed. The project’s core mission is to revitalise Panaji’s core business zone by assessing and modernising city infrastructure, enhancing public areas, and preserving its unique cultural heritage, particularly the UNESCO-recognised Fontainhas Latin Quarter.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The plan to conduct a “comprehensive study on the capital’s core business zone” which includes analysing the “condition of the city’s roads, drains, and waterworks” directly relates to developing quality, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The specific mention of assessing “drains and waterworks” to gauge their integrity connects the project to the goal of ensuring sustainable management of water and sanitation, which are critical components of urban infrastructure.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the project’s described activities, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
   • The article explicitly states the study will “identify measures to preserve heritage structures” and that the “UNESCO-recognised heritage zone will receive special attention to preserve its Portuguese colonial architecture.” This directly aligns with the goal of safeguarding cultural heritage.
2. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure…to support economic development and human well-being.
   • The project’s aim to “analyse the condition of the city’s roads, drains, and waterworks” and “modernise city infrastructure” is a direct effort to develop and upgrade the quality and reliability of urban infrastructure. The assessment includes “structural design, drainage planning,” and “preparation of engineering reports.”
3. Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for…sustainable human settlement planning and management.
   • The initiative by IPSCDL to hire a consultant to “prepare a concept plan for the project” and conduct a “detailed assessment of the state of the infrastructure of the city” represents a structured approach to integrated and sustainable urban planning and management.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets, even if not explicitly named by their official SDG indicator codes.

• Implied Indicator for Target 11.4: The article mentions the project contract is “estimated at approximately Rs 97 lakh” and will be funded through a government scheme. This points towards an indicator related to the total expenditure on the preservation and conservation of cultural heritage. The assessment to determine “which historic buildings need restoration, and to what extent” is a preliminary step for this investment. This is conceptually similar to Indicator 11.4.1: Total expenditure (public and private) per capita spent on the preservation, protection and conservation of all cultural and natural heritage.
• Implied Indicator for Target 9.1: The comprehensive study itself, which includes “road measurements, drone tests, and check the drains and waterworks to gauge the integrity of these components,” serves as a qualitative and quantitative assessment of infrastructure quality. The subsequent “revitalisation project” based on these findings would be a measure of investment in infrastructure development and modernisation.
• Implied Indicator for Target 11.3: The development and submission of the “comprehensive study” and “concept plan” to the government for review by December 15 is a direct output that can be measured. This represents the adoption and implementation of a sustainable urban development plan, which aligns with the spirit of Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate. While the article doesn’t provide data for this ratio, the act of creating a formal plan is a key component of its measurement.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com