Smruti Koppikar

When did we last hear what trees are telling us?

Trees are service providers to us, they perform necessary ecological functions, and they are among sturdy climate warriors there can be in a world dealing with climate change extremes. Adaptation is not something only human beings do in the climate…

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…

We want safe cities, we want feminist cities

The heinous rape-murder of a doctor in Kolkata sparked off heated discussions on women’s safety in cities. Safety of women anywhere is non-negotiable, it is the bare minimum, and it is not entirely women’s responsibility. Women also need to be…

Streets, not designated spaces, reverberate with protesters and their songs

Protests, a democratic right, need public spaces but maidans, city squares, prominent landmarks and monuments in India’s cities have been gradually cordoned off by governments that are unwilling to have such voices question the dominant narrative they set. Instead, governments…

When did we last hear what trees are telling us?

How festival celebrations define, and redefine, public spaces

We want safe cities, we want feminist cities

Streets, not designated spaces, reverberate with protesters and their songs

Urban festivals: Beyond art are difficult dialogues and political mobilisation

Mumbai needs an Ecological Plan beyond the quick fixes for air pollution

Planning and building gender-inclusive cities is the need of the hour