CITIZEN JOURNALISM Citizen Matters

The challenges before Delhi’s ‘Happiness’ teachers, during COVID and otherwise

October 15, 2020 Kriti Gupta

The Happiness Curriculum was introduced in Delhi government schools in 2018. A recent research project tells us how teachers have been faring, before and during the pandemic.

How RWAs in Gurugram are showing the way out of urban India’s waste crisis

October 14, 2020 Rahul Khera

Decentralized waste management systems could be an effective solution to the complex waste management challenge in our cities. An expert from Gurugram explains why and how.

Why your local park or sports stadium is ‘critical infrastructure’ for the city

October 6, 2020 Dhanya Rajagopal

Urban public spaces are generally not recognised for much beyond their real estate or recreational value. Yet globally, their potential in crisis or emergency situations is increasingly evident.

COVID-19 has put the spotlight on mental health, but India needs more

October 1, 2020 Ronald Yesudhas

COVID-19 has spawned a growing mental health crisis that can only be addressed by stepping up the availability and access to quality mental health services.

Making waste pickers’ lives better: An experience from Hyderabad

September 14, 2020 Laxmi Vadapalli

A project aimed at providing alternative occupations for waste pickers in an industrial estate in Hyderabad holds important lessons. What would really make their lives better?

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?

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.

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!

Bhopal: Lockdown relaxed, but no end to miseries of the marginalised

August 14, 2020 Porag Shome and Neelansh Sethi

The lockdown pushed many members of the Pardhi community in Bhopal to beg for survival. Now, as they try to rebuild their lives post lockdown, there is still little hope.

What will it take to nudge people towards public transport post COVID?

August 10, 2020 Abhinav Soman and Himani Jain

As cities gradually unlock, a look at interventions that could effectively quell fears of COVID transmission and revive ridership on buses and other public transport

Strict regulation, active citizens can rein in Pune’s infamous water tankers

August 9, 2020 Harshavardhan Vasanti Mohan

Pune municipal authorities cite lack of infrastructure and geographical constraints to justify the need for tankers. But citizens claim there is a nexus between local politicians, bureaucrats and the tanker lobby.

Delivery apps, social media and innovation: Three mantras for revival of Kochi’s restaurant industry

August 4, 2020 Ann Mary Biju

Eating out had been a dominant trend in Kochi for quite some time. Till COVID-19 struck. How will food joints in the city adapt to a post-pandemic world?

What lies behind the deepening water crisis in Himalayan towns?

July 29, 2020 Krity Shrestha, Sreoshi Singh and Anjal Prakash

A study conducted in the Himalayan towns of Singtam, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Devprayag and Mussoorie exposes the effect of haphazard urbanisation, poor water management and climate change on water resources.

Clean air plans ready for 102 cities, but no budget

July 24, 2020 Dr. Sarath Guttikunda, Tanushree Ganguly and Kurinji Selvaraj

90% of the cities that have made plans under the National Clean Air Programme have no budgetary support. None, except Delhi, have a legal mandate to implement those either.

Wanted: New thought and regulation for the informal sector in India in a post-COVID world

July 10, 2020 Sachitha Kondath

The pandemic has exposed the gravest challenges facing India’s informal economy. These findings from a research project underline the need for policy implementation and reforms.