ABSTRACT

Today, when rapid urbanization has become an environmental concern all over the world, the concept of solar cities assumes a crucial role to play in realizing not only the sustainability potential of cities but also to transform urbanization into an opportunity. The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India in 2008 launched the Solar Cities Programme to promote alternate sources of energy and reduce dependency on conventional energy sources. Chandigarh was the first city to be declared as model solar city. This study attempts to empirically analyze the measures taken to make Chandigarh a model solar city while focusing on adoption of roof-top Solar Photovoltaic (SPV). The data collected was analysed and interpreted using percentages. Descriptive analysis of the responses of government officials, residents, NGOs and private empanelled agencies was done. Findings revealed that the whole idea of participatory local planning was sidelined, awareness generation remained piecemeal, no formal co-ordination mechanism was established and yet empirical targets were not only achieved but surpassed. However, the implementation failed to convince residents to shift towards solar energy, jeopardizing the long-term sustainability of the solar city plan.

摘要

今天，当快速城市化已成为全世界关注的环境问题时，太阳能城市的概念不仅在实现城市的可持续发展潜力方面发挥着至关重要的作用，而且在将城市化转变为机遇方面发挥着至关重要的作用。印度政府新能源和可再生能源联盟部 (MNRE) 于 2008 年启动了太阳能城市计划，以促进替代能源并减少对传统能源的依赖。昌迪加尔是第一个被宣布为太阳能示范城市的城市。本研究试图实证分析为使昌迪加尔成为示范太阳能城市而采取的措施，同时重点关注屋顶太阳能光伏 (SPV) 的采用。使用百分比分析和解释收集的数据。对政府官员、居民、非政府组织和私营机构已经完成。调查结果显示，参与式地方规划的整个理念被边缘化，意识的产生仍然是零碎的，没有建立正式的协调机制，但不仅实现了而且超过了经验目标。然而，实施未能说服居民转向太阳能，危及太阳能城市计划的长期可持续性。