Archives - Question of Cities

Go, Goa, Gone: Ecology and ethos being erased by commerce

The state was once a poster for all things exquisite with breath-takingly beautiful landscapes and seafronts, villages nestled in the greens, laid-back way of life. Goa turned to commerce, tourism, real estate development almost with a vengeance in the 2000s.…

Panaji at the crossroads of economic boom and ecological decline

The spectacular expansion of Panaji has meant an assault on its natural flood drainage network, creeks, estuaries, lush hillocks, mangroves, and marshlands. None have remained unscathed by the burgeoning tourism – nearly nine times the city’s population – and the…

From St. Inez Creek to Goa’s stories of water systems

The short film, Avnati, tells the story of the degradation of the St. Inez Creek that flows through Panaji through the lives and memories of people around it. From an idyllic place where people recall floating paper boats, the water…

How festival celebrations define, and redefine, public spaces

Diwali celebrations are a public affair, so are celebrations of other festivals across communities. The festivalisation of public spaces -- streets, squares, markets, footpaths – is welcome and binds people in cities but it also lends these spaces political colours…

India darshan through festival foods and culinary traditions

People celebrate Diwali with a smorgasbord of foods unique to the traditions of a community or state, influenced by local climates and geographies, but within the boundaries of caste and gender. Besides Diwali, a number of other festivals across India…

Eco-friendly festivals are still a dream

Most festivals have a long way to go to become genuinely sustainable even as greenwashing -- claiming false or exaggerated environmental benefits -- takes hold. Knee-jerk reactions such as banning or restricting firecrackers only days before Diwali hardly help. Purposeful…

Festive memories rustle up flavours of the season

Festivals rekindle nostalgia about the good old days with family and friends – and food. Festivals across India uphold food traditions and age-old kitchen practices which are gradually getting erased as nuclear families and rushed lifestyles do not support elaborate…

Go, Goa, Gone: Ecology and ethos being erased by commerce

Panaji at the crossroads of economic boom and ecological decline

From St. Inez Creek to Goa’s stories of water systems

How festival celebrations define, and redefine, public spaces

India darshan through festival foods and culinary traditions

Eco-friendly festivals are still a dream

Festive memories rustle up flavours of the season

Retelling and celebrating the legend of Madurai Veeran

Big bold ideas that can change public or affordable housing in our cities

Zero-fare is women’s ticket to freedom, work, and study