Assessing the Visions for Mumbai

Various reports detail how Mumbai can become a world-class city by listing infrastructure and development goals, but, as Nayantara Kilachand points out, "cultural and social nuance" need to be--but aren't--factored in.

1 minute read

December 3, 2011, 5:00 AM PST

By Judy Chang


"'The basic problem with ‘Vision Mumbai' is that the ‘City' is missing in its ‘World Class City,'' says Gyan Prakash, Princeton University history professor and author of 'Mumbai Fables' – a book on the city's history.

'For it, the city means just an efficient transportation network and other infrastructures that facilitate the smooth functioning of the economy and generate growth,' he says. 'Yes, transportation needs big improvements, and housing requires massive efforts. But where in its plan for a ‘world-class city' is the vision for urban life except as a technocratic dream?'"

Friday, December 2, 2011 in The Wall Street Journal

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