Delhi Can Be An Energy-Efficient City. It's Not Impossible.

While developing its territory into a smart city, the New Municipal Corporation (NDMC) is trying to ensure that resources such as water and energy are used efficiently. The corporation wants to make the city livable, sustainable and efficient. A look at what Indian cities such as Delhi can do to be energy efficient and sustainable, and how real estate in Delhi can contribute to it:

• When compared to New York or Shanghai, Delhi has lower levels of carbon emission. A key reason behind it is lesser number of automobiles, especially cars, in the national capital as compared to its global peers. However, the number of automobiles in Delhi and surrounding areas is likely to go up sharply in the next few years. Gurgaon, for instance, adds over 60,000 cars every year to the roads. According to urban policy experts, this may emerge as a crucial environmental issue in future. The solution to this problem would lie in the city's real estate. 

• By allowing vertical growth in and around the centre of Delhi, governments and local authorities may prevent ecological harm to the rest of the city. This will also encourage walking and usage of public transport.

• By allowing vertical growth, Delhi would be able save energy more efficiently. For instance, energy required to warm an independent home in Noida or Gurgaon would be much greater than the energy required to warm a tiny apartment in Delhi. Moreover, in mixed- use developments and tall buildings, people tend to share appliances such as air conditioners. This is not possible in independent homes in suburbs.

• With technological advancement, we would be able to use appliances that consume less energy. Same goes for the automobiles. However, the catch is that when appliances and vehicles become more efficient, they would be used more frequently. While formulating policies, municipal authorities should take this into account. For instance, the level of carbon emissions would be much higher, if people drive to Delhi from Gurgaon or Noida or other suburbs; it would be much less, if they lived in central Delhi. If economic activity is concentrated in and around central business districts (CBDs), pollution would be concentrated, too.

• Property taxes and other related transactions in real estate assets near a central city are generally much higher than in suburbs. This encourages people shifting to suburbs. If suburban living becomes as common in Delhi as it is in the US, commutes would also become longer. This would lead to greater energy consumption, too, as Delhi is vastly populated.