TECHFEST 2023-2024

Urban Futurism: Building Smart Cities

Smart cities are urban areas that utilise technology and data to improve the quality of life for
residents, enhance sustainability, and optimise resource management. They integrate
various technologies, such as Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), big data
analytics, and renewable energy systems, to create more efficient and connected urban
environments.

Urban planning plays a crucial role in the development of smart cities. It involves designing
and organising urban spaces to accommodate the needs of the population while
considering factors like infrastructure, transportation, housing, public services, and
environmental sustainability. In the context of smart cities, urban planning focuses on
leveraging technology and data-driven insights to improve city operations and enhance the
overall urban experience.

Transforming Urban Spaces:

Advancing Smart Cities for Sustainable and Inclusive Future

As the world becomes increasingly urbanised, the need for smart and sustainable urban
planning has become imperative. This Ideate competition aims to address the challenges
faced by cities in their journey towards becoming smart cities, focusing on innovative
solutions that enhance urban planning, optimise resource management, and improve the
quality of life for residents. Participants are encouraged to explore various aspects of smart
cities and propose novel ideas to tackle the complex urban issues.

Problem Statement :

The participants are required to identify and propose innovative solutions to one or more of
the following challenges in smart cities and urban planning:

1. Efficient Transportation and Mobility

● Developing intelligent transportation systems to reduce traffic congestion,
enhance public transportation networks, and improve the overall mobility
experience.
● Designing innovative solutions for last-mile connectivity, shared mobility, and
multimodal transportation to encourage sustainable and efficient commuting
 2. Sustainable Energy Management:
● Designing and implementing smart grids, renewable energy solutions, and
energy-efficient systems in buildings to reduce carbon footprint and enhance
energy sustainability.
● Exploring innovative approaches to integrate renewable energy sources,
energy storage systems, and demand-response mechanisms for efficient
energy management.

3. Data Analytics and Urban Intelligence:

● Utilising data analytics, IoT sensors, and real-time monitoring to gather
insights on urban patterns, resource consumption, and environmental
parameters for informed decision-making in urban planning.
● Developing data-driven models and algorithms for predictive analysis,
optimised resource allocation, and effective urban management.

4. Enhancing Citizen Engagement and Governance:

● Designing digital platforms and tools to promote citizen participation,
transparency, and collaboration in urban planning processes.
● Exploring innovative methods to engage diverse communities, ensure
equitable access to services and resources, and empower citizens in shaping
the future of their cities.

5. Resilience and Climate Adaptation:

● Developing strategies and technologies to enhance urban resilience against
climate change, natural disasters, and other environmental challenges.
● Designing resilient infrastructure, green spaces, and water management
systems to mitigate risks and ensure long-term sustainability.

Research Options:

Participants are encouraged to consider the following research options while addressing the
problem statement:

1. Case Studies:
Analyse and draw insights from existing smart city initiatives around the world,
examining their successes, challenges, and lessons learned.

2. Technology Integration:
Explore the integration of emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain,
autonomous systems, and edge computing in urban planning for enhanced
efficiency and sustainability.
 3. Social and Economic Impact:
Investigate the social and economic implications of smart city initiatives, including
affordability, job creation, social equity, and inclusivity.

4. Policy and Regulatory Frameworks:

Examine the policy and regulatory aspects that support the development and
implementation of smart city projects, considering privacy, data governance, and
ethical considerations.

5. User-Centric Design:
Focus on human-centred approaches in urban planning, considering the needs,
preferences, and behaviour of city residents to ensure user acceptance and
adoption of smart city solutions.

6. Funding and Financing Models:

Explore innovative funding mechanisms and public-private partnerships to support
the implementation of smart city projects and ensure long-term financial
sustainability.

Conclusion:

This Problem Statement challenges participants to think critically, propose innovative ideas,
and conduct research on various aspects of smart cities and urban planning. The goal is to
foster sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced urban environments that
improve the quality of life for citizens. Through interdisciplinary research and creative
thinking, participants have the opportunity to contribute to the transformation of cities into
smart and resilient spaces for the future.

Report Format :

● Title
● Abstract
1. Objectives
2. Beneficiaries (For Whom)
3. Value of Results (Usage)
● Background
● Statement of Problem
1. Succinct definition of problem addressed (follows from material in the
background section)
 ● Research
1. Present Methods of tackling the problem (if any)
2. Proposed Solution
3. Alternate solutions/approaches
4. Novelty of Approach: How is/will your solution be better than the existing
products that address the same problem?
● Technical Report
1. Description of concepts, theories and/or approach involved in the proposed
solution
2. Technical aspect of the proposed solution
3. Detailed technical specifications and pictorial representations (block
diagrams/ flow chart)
4. Description of the flow of operations demonstrating key features and
functionality
5. Performance estimate of the solution
6. Experimentation/Verification done to establish the workability of the above
7. A link to the video of the working model/ prototype
● Results
1. Actual findings, significant output of tests and analysis (Must be readable)
2. Include problems encountered, credibility of results, accuracy estimates
3. Pros and cons of your solution
4. Utility of results
● A link of the Google Drive Folder which contains Pictures and Video of the working
model/ prototype.
● Application
1. Your idea as a solution to the problem
2. Additional applications
3. Benefits to the users
● Future prospects, research in it and further development (in brief)
● Any other details: (Patent/Business plan etc.)

Eligibility:

● Individuals or teams from the following categories are allowed:

1. Students/research scholars of authorised institutions (students have to show their
Valid College/School ID)
2. Upto 3 years old college pass-outs.
● A team is allowed to have a maximum of 4 members.
● If the participating team feels that their idea requires more participants in their team,
they can forward their request, with suitable reasons, to [email protected] with
the subject "Ideate XXX: Team number increase request"
Evaluation:

1. Creativity and Novelty: How novel is the idea? How different is it from the current
solutions available? The innovation must be ingenious and novel in its area of
application and should have a high potential for leaving an impact on the society.
2. Originality: The innovation should not, by any means, include copied or stolen
work. Such applications will be disqualified immediately.
3. Performance
4. Cost/Market Value and Acceptance
5. Durability and Usability: Durability of the prototype/method proposed.
6. Implementation Ability: Is the solution implementable as described? Is it
repeatable? Is the solution feasible for diverse and changing conditions?
7. Scalability: Is the solution scalable to a higher level, how easy is it to scale up and
what are the factors affecting it?
8. Potential of Impact: How does it benefit society? The scale of problem that it
solves, intensity of the solution and number of people catered from the solution
directly and indirectly.
9. Design: Has the design been taken into consideration? How optimised is the
product?
10. Ergonomics (if the team decides to make a well-designed product) In case of any
discrepancies, the decision of the Organizers or Judges will be final and binding on
all.

Shortlisting:

Top 15 teams will be selected and will get the chance to present their model/idea in the
Final Round of Ideatexxxx , Techfest, IIT Bombay. Participants will get a slot for presenting
their model/idea to the Judges based on which they will be evaluated. These teams will be
selected by a panel of judges.

General Rules:

1. Every team has to register online on our website for the competition. A Team ID will
be allocated to the team on registration which shall be used for future references.
2. A team can register at any point of time before 24th October 2020 and submit the
final abstract and video (as mentioned in the structure).
3. The decision of the organizers or judges shall be treated as final and binding on all.
Techfest has all the rights to verify the identity and accuracy of the details provided
by the participants.
4. No responsibility will be held by Techfest, IIT Bombay for any late, lost or misdirected
entries.
5. The idea presented by the teams should be original (not protected by means of
patent/copyright/technical publication by anyone else).
 6. Note that at any point of time the latest information will be that which is on the
website. However, registered participants will be informed through mail about any
changes on the website.
7. All modes of official communication will be through the Techfest e-mail.

Registration and Submission:

The Participants have to register on the official Techfest Website and fill all the necessary
details. www.techfest.org ->Competitions-> Ideates ->Ideatexxx -> Explore More -> Register
-> Fill all your details - > Now you must create/Join a team.

Abstract Submission:

Teams are required to submit one report to [email protected]. This report should
contain the idea they are looking forward to work on.

Project Report Submission:

The project report should be mailed to with the subject ‘Ideate: ‘’xxx’’ Project Report: (for
e.g. Ideate: ‘’xxx’’ Project Report: ID). The report must be submitted in PDF format only
mailed to [email protected]

Certificate Policy:

Only those teams that are shortlisted for the finals and also give a final presentation about
their work during Techfest 2022-23 would be awarded an e-Certificate of Participation. The
top 5 entries from this event would be provided with a Certificate of Excellence.

Prizes:

The prize money will be awarded to top 3 winners via NEFT and will be processed within 30
working days after receiving the prize money from sponsors. Winners have to mail the
following information (immediately after the announcement of results) to
[email protected]

FORMAT OF MAIL : Subject: XXXXX - (example-xxxx, xxxx,x Position)

Body of mail:
1. Account Holder’s Name
2. Account Number
3. Bank name and Branch name.
4. IFSC Code
 TIMELINE:

Last Date of 30th October,2023 Participants need to

Registration register before this
date

Abstract Report 10th November,2023 Submission of First Draft

Submission Report

Shortlisting of the 20th November,2023 Declaration of shortlisted

Abstracts teams to work for
presentation reports

Final Report Submission 15th December, 2023 Submission of final

project report has to be
submitted
before this date

Final Presentation 27th December, 2023 Teams will present their

idea at Techfest
IIT Bombay before the
judging panel