Noida’s twin towers came crashing down after years of persistent legal battles: a testament to how collective citizen efforts can challenge unlawful construction. While cities like Coimbatore proactively form ward committees and area sabhas, others like Mangalore still need a push from residents. As urban local bodies navigate public participation, can these invited spaces truly bridge the gap between local governance and community voices?

Can tiny urban forests really make cities greener? Miyawaki forests are popping up across India, from metros like Mumbai and Chennai to smaller cities like Tirunelveli and Rohtak. Coimbatore plans to add 100 such forests by August 15. But with questions around soil compatibility and space constraints, are these quick-growing forests truly the solution to urban greening, or just a passing trend?

Mumbai’s draft city plan just took a historic turn with a chapter on gender and social equity, thanks to years of advocacy. But women still face barriers in urban governance, especially in smaller cities. While Coimbatore and Tumakuru have made strides, many others lag behind. Can inclusive leadership truly transform India’s urban landscape, or is there more to the story of gender parity in city planning, especially in the smaller ones?

Despite being integral to India’s urban landscape, smaller cities often get overlooked in both academic and online knowledge resources. While big cities dominate research and Wikipedia pages, small cities remain under-represented. To bridge this gap, Nagrika launched “Nagarpedia” — a community-driven initiative encouraging citizens to enrich Wikipedia’s city pages with credible, local insights. After all, who better to contribute than those who truly know their own city?