URBAN PLANNING | Citizen Matters

When Pune has almost as many COVID cases as Chennai, can we blame density alone?

May 7, 2020 Apekshita Varshney

Many experts have made urban density the culprit behind the spread of the coronavirus contagion in cities. But, it is really more about daily living and working conditions that our cities can ensure.

Op-ed: A few simple steps towards designing safer public spaces for women

January 20, 2020 Suchitra Deep

For too long, we have lived in and accepted cities built by men, for men. But as more and more women need and want access to public spaces within their cities, we need paradigm shifts in design to make these safer for them. Here are some simple first steps.

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.

Bhopal all set to become ‘smart’, even if hot and barren!

June 11, 2019 Shuriah Niazi

Countless trees have already gone under the axe and several thousands are at risk in Bhopal’s Tatiya Tope Nagar, where a government housing project under the Smart Cities Mission is in progress. Environmentalists fume at the toll that such projects are taking.

Bye, bye birdie: A bird sanctuary could disappear as Pune metro speeds ahead

May 2, 2019 Aditi Tandon

In Pune, an upcoming elevated metro line poses threat to Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, which houses over 100 species of birds and 30 species of butterflies. Meanwhile, citizen groups are pushing for the sanctuary’s conservation

Do cities matter? What BJP, INC and CPI(M) manifestos say on urban issues

April 23, 2019 Arjun Rajan

From devolution of powers to local bodies, to the formation of National Urban Mobility Mission, to the creation of a separate Ministry for Water; what all are the promises made by political parties regarding urban issues in their manifestos ?

Here’s what citizens are demanding for inclusive and just urban development

April 16, 2019 Evita Das

Members of civil society organizations, urban poor and worker collectives place their demands that reimagine cities and envision more inclusive and sustainable urban development, so that there is a place for all in these cities.

City Buzz: Cities gear up for elections | Mumbai foot over bridge collapse | PUBG ban in several cities…and more

March 16, 2019 News Desk

From Ahmedabad to Kolkata, and from Mumbai to Hyderabad, get a quick recap of the latest news and developments in our cities this week.

City Buzz: Panel for unauthorized Delhi colonies | Vaccination deaths in Hyderabad | Trivandrum airport privatisation…and more!

March 10, 2019 News Desk

A plan for transfer of ownership to residents of Delhi’s unauthorised colonies, reduction and waiver in property tax for small houses in Mumbai, and tragic deaths of two infants in Hyderabad in a case of medical negligence — this and more news from across cities.

City Buzz: Delhi bid to end manual scavenging | Rs 6500 crore for Mumbai Metro | Pune resilience plan..and more!

March 4, 2019 News Desk

Will Delhi finally be able to end manual scavenging with technology? What are Mumbai Metro’s plans with the historic loan from ADB? And why is Kolkata Metro causing serious concern among commuters? Catch a recap of some of the important headlines from our cities last week.

City Buzz: Hate grips cities post Pulwama | Urban jobs scheme in MP | ‘Connect Delhi’ project…and more

February 23, 2019 News Desk

MNREGS-like scheme launched for urban youth in MP, Delhi aims to provide neighbourhood-level public transport, while Kashmiris face threats in some cities as the nation boils over in the aftermath of the terror attack in Pulwama. Catch the most important happenings across cities this week.

City Buzz: Delhi blaze kills 17 | Hyderabad master plan deadline | Pune plans water supply revamp..and more!

February 16, 2019 News Desk

Yet another fire in the capital, what is behind it? What will be the focus areas in the new Hyderabad master plan? How is Pune planning to augment water supply in the face of rising population? Learn more about these and other urban developments this week.

City Buzz: Hyderabad ‘safe auto’ project | Mumbai monorail by March | Kolkata nails tax defaulters..and more

February 11, 2019 News Desk

Which areas shall benefit from Phase 2 of the Mumbai monorail? Why is Pune installing cameras around the city? How much do property tax defaulters in Kolkata owe the municipality? Find all this and more in this wrap of urban news over the week gone by.

City Buzz: National Clean Air Programme | BEST buses on strike | Road repair in Kolkata..and more!

January 13, 2019 News Desk

National plans to tackle the urban pollution menace, global recognition for India’s fast growing cities and civic news from around the cities — catch some of the most important headlines of the week.

City Buzz: Women’s wall of solidarity | Delhi water supply projects | Rent inflation in Mumbai…and more

January 5, 2019 News Desk

The Sabarimala controversy has rocked the nation and created a stir across cities, especially among women; That and more news from our cities this week in this edition of City Buzz.