India

The Tokyo Model: From Post-War Slum to Superpower

In this compelling essay, authors Matias Echanove and Rahul Srivastava take a look at Tokyo's post-war development and explore how lessons learned from its unplanned growth may be useful for other rapidly urbanizing Asian cities today.

January 20, 2013 - Next City

India's Energy and Resources Institute Taking the LEED

India’s foremost environmental think tank is touting a recently developed sustainable building certification program "Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment" (GRIHA) as more holistic than LEED. Could it also help enforce labor laws?

January 19, 2013 - Green Futures Magazine

Rich Seedlings for the Urban Revolution

Over the next few decades, half of global economic growth is predicted to come from the slums of developing world cities. Gaia Vince believes the key to the coming urban revolution is how these shantytowns evolve.

January 16, 2013 - BBC

Largest Gathering in History Attracts Researchers

When the Kumbh Mela, a 48-day Hindu festival held every four years, starts this week in northern India it will be the largest gathering in history. Researchers are using the opportunity to study the formation and inner-workings of a pop-up mega city.

January 15, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Is Safety on Public Transit Just an Indian Problem?

The case of a fatal bus rape in India, and subsequent protests, has captivated the world. But, argues Sarah Goodyear, the incident should serve as a larger reminder of the threat of violence and harassment towards women on transit systems worldwide.

January 3, 2013 - Next City

Growing Pains Cloud New Delhi's Future

Delhi’s unpleasant pollution predicament, and its ensuing health consequences, are causing environmentalists, doctors and local officials to grow increasingly alarmed.

January 1, 2013 - The New York Times

Commercial Building Boom Predicted for India

A dearth of high quality retail spaces in India's largest cities and the growing attraction of large foreign retailers to the country have analysts predicting a boom in commercial development.

December 12, 2012 - The New York Times

As Economies Return, So Does Frightening Asian Air Pollution

New studies are raising alarms about the growing threat of harmful air in Asia's cities. One recent report warns that air pollution could become the biggest environmental cause of premature death by 2050 if action is not taken.

December 5, 2012 - The New York Times

Bring Your Own Bag in Delhi

Every year, Delhi produces 250,000 tons of plastic waste. Starting on November 23, the city government "will begin enforcing a ban on the manufacture, import, sale, storage and use of plastic bags, sheets, films or tubs," reports Raksha Kumar.

November 21, 2012 - The New York Times

Selling the Importance of Street Vending

In the latest entry in a series on informal urban livelihoods, Sally Roever of WIEGO provides insight into how planners can better understand, acknowledge and manage street vending through the development of appropriate policies and best practices.

November 20, 2012 - The Global Urbanist

Less Plans on Paper, More Practical Thinking Needed for Mumbai

Every 20 years, the Municipal Corporation of Great Mumbai (MCGM) publishes a Development Plan. Kristen Teutonico argues that past and current plans have been too grand for implementation and that the City should focus more on smaller-scale projects.

November 11, 2012 - The Global Urbanist

In a Victory for People Over Cars, Indian Court Upholds BRT

In a landmark ruling issued last week, the Delhi High Court upheld the use of New Delhi's streets for a 5.6-kilometer bus rapid transit corridor, in a blow to auto owners seeking have it removed for use by all traffic, including private vehicles.

October 26, 2012 - The New York Times

An Informal Model of Waste Management Blossoms in Bangalore

Without the wealth for recycling, Indian cities like Bangalore rely on informal traders to collect and sell recyclable materials. Could this tech hub provide a model of trash disposal for cities in the developing and developed world alike?

October 17, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

India's 'Census Towns' Struggle to Keep Up with Growth

As rural areas urbanize, India's land classification system leaves many without power to implement services.

October 9, 2012 - Livemint

Together, Urban Design and Planning Can Brighten the Future of Indian Cities

Rapid urbanization in India will create unplanned cities with poor quality of life unless steps are taken to integrate urban design and planning with governance structures, and primitive planning methods are revamped with the latest technology.

September 23, 2012 - Hindustan Times

A Plea for Proper Water Management in India's Cities

Indian cities boast of huge GDP contributions, but cannot fulfill the basic needs of their citizens, such as providing safe drinking water. Central government funding has enabled some improvements in the urban water sector, but much more is needed.

September 9, 2012 - Business Standard

Areas for Fresh Air Rare in Mumbai

A new study documents exactly how deprived of access to open space the 13 million residents of Mumbai are. The numbers are grim, especially when compared to other cities around the world, and even in India, reports Neha Thirani.

September 4, 2012 - The New York Times

Step One to Untangling Delhi's Roads: Untangle the Governance Structure

Delhi attempts to cut its self-imposed red tape with a unified transportation agency.

August 23, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

Indian Town Struggles to Balance Architectural Heritage and Living Heritage

Recent events in the southern India town of Hampi, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, expose the struggle to balance the needs of historical tourist sites and those who make their livelihood from them, writes Rachel Proctor May.

August 19, 2012 - The Global Urbanist

No Room for Street Vendors on Model Roads

"Model road" project in the Indian city of Ahmedabad has sidewalks, crosswalks, and on-street parking, but no street vendors.

August 16, 2012 - The Times Of India

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