News Citizen Matters

COVID-19 lessons: What city planners, governments and residents must think about

September 4, 2020 Trupti Deshpande

How can cities manage density? How can planning make cities more dynamic and capable of responding to emergencies? What changes can citizens look forward to in a post-COVID urban settlement?

COVID-19 aftermath: Delhi’s ignored waste pickers need immediate protection

September 3, 2020 Avi Majithia and Malavika Narayan

Informal waste pickers in Delhi protect the city’s environment and public health. Today, as they face a dire situation in the aftermath of the pandemic, here’s what the government must do for them.

Future of jobs: One Person Corporation ahoy!

September 2, 2020 Ambi Parameswaran

That’s the way even skilled workers may be headed, but how prepared are they? What would it take for the job-seeker to successfully evolve into a one-person corporation? Practical tips from an expert

Shimla’s haphazard building policy a recipe for climate disaster

September 1, 2020 Ashwani Sharma

As per official estimates, there are more than 31,000 unauthorised buildings in major hill towns in Himachal Pradesh, with Shimla constituting 30 per cent of these.

Delhi electric vehicle policy: Ambitious targets, but is the capital ready?

August 31, 2020 Asha Ramachandran

The policy aims to make 25% of all new vehicles in Delhi electric, by the next four years. But it has no answers to some very critical questions that will determine its success.

City Buzz: COVID cases rise in capital | Oxford vaccine volunteers show normal parameters | NEET-JEE protests… and more

August 29, 2020 News Desk

From COVID-19 updates on cases and vaccine development, to the furore over the conduct of the NEET JEE examinations, catch some key urban highlights of the week.

To mask or not to mask? Fines won’t be the deciding factor

August 28, 2020 Saksham Singh

Policing people to wear masks might not be the most effective way. Behaviour change communication can play a key role in this ongoing pandemic.

City Buzz: Gurugram floods | Swachh Survekshan 2020 | Indigenous COVID vaccines update…and more

August 23, 2020 News Desk

How soon can we expect the COVID vaccines to reach us? What does the government’s latest cleanliness survey say? Why are Gurgaon residents irked? Catch this and more in this weekly round-up

Opinion: Let’s not allow corona to defeat the fight to reduce plastic

August 23, 2020 Swati Singh Sambyal

As India and the world battle the pandemic, managing our plastic waste properly has become crucial, now more then ever.

Cycle sales doubles in Ahmedabad; what’s getting bikers excited?

August 20, 2020 Binita Parikh

With staying fit being touted as an effective way to ward off the coronavirus, Ahmedabadis are discovering that cycling offers an enjoyable option. And the municipal corporation is eager to promote this trend.

Pune hospitals unable to cope with COVID surge. What could be the solution?

August 19, 2020 Prachi Bari

Some housing societies in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area, which has seen a spurt, are setting up quarantine zones within the premises. A jumbo COVID care centre with 1600 beds has also been set up.

Apps and more from Pune Smart City to battle COVID, but not all are cheering!

August 18, 2020 Ambika Shaligram

The Smart City corporation, headed by Rubal Agarwal, is using data analytics and technology to track cases and project future needs. It has also launched a couple of apps to enable coordination among stakeholders.

COVID dampens Ganesh Chaturthi cheer; Pune idol makers in deep distress

August 17, 2020 Ambika Shaligram

The COVID lockdown, restrictions on public gatherings, and even on the kind of idols that may be worshipped have cast a shadow over Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations this year. Idol-makers are among the worst hit.

City Buzz: Floods in Jaipur | Landfill collapse in Delhi | Urban Mobility Plan for UP cities…and more

August 17, 2020 News Desk

From monsoon fury to COVID developments to civic plans for cities — a quick recap of key urban highlights over the last seven days.

As we honour Mother India this Independence Day, let’s not forget Mother Earth

August 15, 2020 Odette Katrak

Patriotism has 3 colours – and green is one of them! So let our celebrations be green!