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HomeRevival of cities

Revival of cities

Revival of Cities Series funded by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies

Rapid urbanisation brings with it an unprecedented level of stress on the infrastructure, resources and public services of our cities, many of which are already stretched to their limits.

Ask Shimla, Mussoorie, Leh or any other Himalayan town and they will relate the woes arising from unplanned urbanisation, irresponsible tourism and an unsustainable model of growth followed by the state. A ‘green bonus’ or a separate ministry may not be enough to reverse the damage being done.

It is imperative that the planning for this growth focuses on livability, safety of residents, reliability of services for all, and equitable opportunities for learning and employment for its citizens.

A report presented at WEF Davos in January 2019 highlights this issue well.

“The solution lies in inclusive urbanization processes that prioritize quality of life for all, focusing especially on the needs of vulnerable urban groups for employment, housing, sanitation, healthcare and education. Most importantly, planning must incorporate long-term resource sensitivity and community involvement at every step, while benchmarking smart and measurable outcomes for all stakeholders.”

During 2019-20, Citizen Matters, supported by the Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, scaled up regular city coverage. We published stories from a total of 14 locations, ensuring cities where quality journalistic contributions, as well as a responsive audience, intersected.

This project covers topics or major issues affecting citizens in-depth reporting and follow ups, complemented by analysis, commentary and op-eds that contribute to a larger body of knowledge about our cities. Topics include water, waste. mobility challenges, environmental issues like air pollution and climate change, inclusive city and the lives of the differently-abled, policies and infrastructure, the reality of migrants’ lives and low-income groups.

 

Civic

Catch 22 in Shimla: To save urban forests or stay safe?

August 30, 2019 Ashwani Sharma

Every year, heavy monsoon rains cause the uprooting or instability of many large trees, posing a risk to life and property. Then again, the same pretext is used for rampant illegal tree felling in the town, that has led to loss of 50-55% of its green cover over the last 30 years.

Civic

How a fire in Surat has shaken up the ‘coaching’ industry in Bhopal

August 28, 2019 Shuriah Niazi

Following a fire in a Surat coaching centre that claimed 24 lives, the Bhopal administration ordered an inspection of fire safety compliance at all coaching centres. Findings were alarming and notices have been issued to 200 coaching institutes and hostels.

Commute

Yeh dil maange more: Kolkata, New Town love their e-buses, but more needed for impact

August 22, 2019 Gurvinder Singh

40 electric buses planned for 11 routes in Kolkata were pressed into service earlier this year, while the satellite town of New Town has been successfully running 3 e-buses for more than one year. How have they been faring and what’s in the offing?

Environment

Trendy vacations, urban comforts, lavish weddings: What is killing our Himalayan region

August 19, 2019 Rishabh Shrivastava

Ask Shimla, Mussoorie, Leh or any other Himalayan town and they will relate the woes arising from unplanned urbanisation, irresponsible tourism and an unsustainable model of growth followed by the state. A ‘green bonus’ or a separate ministry may not be enough to reverse the damage being done.

Governance

Eid with family? Kashmiri labourers in Shimla stare at uncertainty

August 10, 2019 Ashwani Sharma

Migrant Kashmiris working in other states have been unable to communicate with their families due to the communication blackout in the aftermath of the scrapping of Article 370 and reorganisation of the state. Shimla’s porters mirror the condition of Kashmiris around the country.

Waste Management

Hope anew for Delhi’s Ghazipur landfill as PMO steps in

August 8, 2019 Sri Krishna

Following national and international outcry over East Delhi’s towering Ghazipur dump, the Prime Minister’s Office has issued a Global Request for Proposal (RFP) inviting solutions from experts to the problems posed by the landfill.

Governance

‘Peeda’: What urban villagers in Noida claim to have got in return for the lands they gave up

August 3, 2019 Nilotpal Kumar

A team of researchers met villagers and activists engaged in anindefinite dharna at the marble market site in Noida’s Sector 48. Here are the stories that the protesters shared as they explained their anger and grief.

Civic

Why Shimla smart city projects worth Rs 2905 crore look destined to fail

August 1, 2019 Ashwani Sharma

53 projects in all are envisaged under the Shimla Smart city mission, all to be completed by 2022. But a severe crunch of funds, coupled with an NGT ban on new construction to arrest haphazard and risky sprawl, makes it all seem unrealistic and unattainable.

Environment

A wetland on just 1% of Bandra Kurla Complex could lessen Mumbai’s flooding problems!

July 29, 2019 Apekshita Varshney

A wetland of that size with two retention basins has managed to mitigate urban flooding to a large extent in an Australian suburb. And such wetlands can be created even in a congested city, as Japanese examples have shown. These and other innovative solutions from the east merit serious consideration in flood-prone Mumbai.

Economy

How northeastern migrants are building a home away from home in Delhi’s Humayunpur

July 26, 2019 Arunav Chowdhury

Take a peek inside the melting pot that is Humayunpur, where you will find northeastern migrants from across the city gather to shop for groceries, eat native food and look for houses to rent. ‘It’s just like home,’ they say.

Civic

Why Mumbai needs parks more than parking lots for its 32 lakh cars

July 23, 2019 Sonal Alvares

Open space available to the average Mumbaikar is 1.28 sq m as against international standards of 11 sq m. And to make matters worse, a large chunk of public space is taken up by cars and spaces meant for cars.

Environment

How one of Delhi’s tallest structures is contributing to climate change

July 17, 2019 Sri Krishna

Intense summers are not uncommon in Delhi, but when temperatures soared to 48 degrees this June, it was a record even by city standards. Could emissions from the East Delhi Ghazipur landfill have had a role to play?

Environment

Why Mumbaikars are getting angrier about tree felling

July 16, 2019 Hepzi Anthony

Around 500 people from different walks gathered at a public hearing on July 8th to raise their voices against the proposed felling of 2702 trees in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony. This is just the most recent example of growing citizen engagement and efforts to save the green cover of the city.

Environment

Traffic jam at 13000 feet: What summer tourism means for hill towns in Himachal!

July 10, 2019 Ashwani Sharma

Summer heat in the northern plains sees tourists flocking in huge numbers to Shimla, Kullu-Manali and the scenic Rohtang Pass. But just look at what it does to the ecology and the regular lives of citizens here.

Commute

Will Kochi’s new integrated transport system be more friendly towards people with disabilities?

July 6, 2019 Nelda Tomy

A recent survey undertaken as part of an academic project brought to light the woes of people with disabilities in Kochi when it came to commute. A look at what needs to be done to make the city transport system more inclusive

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