December 2009

A Streetcar Named Disaster
December 25, 2009
Abstract: Creating a range of disincentives, cities around the world have found ingenious ways to curb the growing menace of the private car. Viewed in the 1950s as a symbol of personal freedom and the good life, the car is now in the West, at least symptomatic of all that is wrong with urban life: pollution, overcrowding, congestion and urban blight. Read More

Centre, states and India's metropolis
December 21
Abstract: Politics of Mumbai and Hyderabad point to need for new urban strategy Read More

A bad idea, Mr Ramesh?
December 17
Abstract: The environment minister doesn't focus on India needing more roads to ensure the Nano brings mobility to millions. Read More

Four yrs on, urban renewal scheme hit by states' apathy
December 4
Abstract: Despite the centrally sponsored reform-linked scheme for sprucing up local infrastructure in select cities under the UPA government's flagship Rs 50,000-crore Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for 65 cities, some state governments and city administrations have turned a blind eye, depriving citizens of better living conditions in the last four years since the scheme was launched. Read More

PM for urban reforms to check chaos
December 3
Abstract: The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Thursday said that Indian cities and towns are not an acceptable face of a rapidly modernising and developing economy, and added that Government will work to widen urban renewal policies and reforms based on experience of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. Read More

The Mayor as CEO
December 3
Abstract: The CEO perspective is desperately needed, particularly for our core cities whose success is vital to sustaining healthy metro regions. Cities need to answer a simple question, one that defies a simple answer: Why here? That is, why live, work or locate a business in our city? Read More