Sustainability - Question of Cities

They broke the glass ceiling to build and design sustainable cities

When we say planners and architects in cities, how many women come to mind? Few and far between. Though women have been an inalienable part of these disciplines for decades, their challenges were tougher than those of their male counterparts,…

Saving Rani Bagh with women’s power and collaborative campaigns

Women from diverse backgrounds joined hands to save one of Mumbai’s oldest green spaces and botanical garden, Rani Bagh, from construction. Their…

For better cities, map and integrate all open spaces into urban planning

Gardens, promenades, boardwalks, wetlands, salt pans, beaches, promenades, green connectors amid a city’s concrete, are vital open spaces which make it more…

Mahalaxmi Racecourse: A public open expanse, threatened by a theme park

One of Mumbai’s largest and most recognisable open spaces, the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, attracts hundreds of joggers, walkers, sportspersons, and yoga enthusiasts among…

Social well-being through open space planning: The Navi Mumbai case study

The new city on a vast greenfield area across the Mumbai harbour was planned in the 1960-70s to decongest the increasingly-dense Mumbai.…

How open spaces impact the ecological health of cities

When urban development, largely understood to mean construction, gathers pace to accommodate more people and commerce, one of the first casualties is…

After COP28: The implications for India’s cities and vulnerable communities

For the millions in India’s cities, the recently-concluded annual climate summit, or COP28, appears inconsequential and detached from their lived realities of…

India must lead the climate conversation on mitigation, with urgency

Climate change negotiations mean little unless India is prepared to commit to phasing out fossil fuels and evolve a clear framework on mitigation. The annual UN Conference of Parties this year, or COP28, included the phrase “transitioning away” from fossil…

Climate and health: Historic COP28 declaration but India has miles to go

Climate change has wreaked havoc with people’s health all over the world for decades but this theme got its due space at…

COP28 skirts climate justice, shies away from phasing out fossil fuels

Although COP28, hosted by the oil-producing nation of UAE and controversial in some measure, important decisions and initiatives were launched to reduce…