From ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ on screen to millions sweating it out on the streets, India has caught the marathon fever! The craze has officially sprinted past the metros, with small cities now hosting full and ultra marathons. But as the 'running economy' booms, one vital question remains: are we merely clearing roads for a single Sunday, or actually designing safer streets for the everyday runner?

Libraries are more than just collections of books; they’re vital community spaces. In India, however, urban libraries remain scarce, with one library serving 80,000 people on average. As cities grow, public libraries must evolve to foster lifelong learning and community engagement, by reimagining dynamic spaces for social interaction, creativity, and knowledge-sharing. Will investing in libraries help our cities become truly smart?