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The development of smart cities in India is a significant step towards modernizing
urban infrastructure and improving the quality of life for citizens. Currently, one
hundred cities in India have been identified by the government for developing as
smart cities. The Smart Cities mission envisions developing areas within selected
cities in the country as model areas based on an area development plan.
Smart city technology can help cities operate more efficiently while improving
services to citizens; among many other benefits, smart cities become economic
hubs, attracting businesses and investments. Examples are growth cities like
Gurugram. Pune, Indore where economic growth has taken place due to investment
related to organized incentives.
To meet the growth requirement in smart cities, a new set of workers (gig workers)
has emerged. The workforce is essential to connect workers with clients and
customers; thereby, new jobs are emerging in support roles (facility management,
health care, education institutions).
The characteristics of gig workers are job flexibility, willingness to work in a
variety of jobs, income variability, lack of benefits, limited skill set, and limited
scope of advancement, with no social security provided by the hiring firms. This
workforce has limited qualifications, minimal experience, and no bargaining
power.
Due to the affordability of real estate in surrounding areas, other infrastructure
projects like warehouses, container depots, and training institutions are likely to be
established. Due to better connectivity and accessibility, the investments are
expected to have a rub-off effect on the nearby cities and towns. Over the period,
the whole region will be impacted by the growth of the gig economy.
Previous experience indicates that there is an influx of manpower in growing cities.
Manpower augmentation takes place at all levels, both in organized and
unorganized sectors. The welfare of the organized sector (both economic and
human index) is largely looked after by the various interest groups who have stakes
in economic growth and wellbeing. At present, the support manpower in existing growth cities has a problem of lack of organized attention. These problems are a challenge for the effective growth of smart cities. The significant challenges need to be addressed through
comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks. Suggestions are increased state funding and strong partnerships with city governments and private sector technology firms. Emphasis on the human factor will further cement the reality of the gig economy in smart cities. Planned affirmative action, is the need of the hour to ensure the growth of the gig economy in the region, resulting in lesser disparity both on the economic and liveability index.
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