Taxes may be the most straightforward way to fund development, but local governments often struggle with limited financial resources. While municipal bonds offer a lifeline, the path hasn’t always been smooth; some bonds have fallen short of expectations. However, with greener alternatives on the rise, local governments are exploring innovative ways to finance development. As cities rethink their financial strategies, could strengthening bond collection become the game-change

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?

Despite being the backbone of daily commutes, buses in Indian cities often run half-empty. Yet, Bhubaneswar’s Mo Bus service is defying the trend by seamlessly bringing together tech and accessibility to attract riders. As cities like Delhi and Surat look for ways to boost ridership, could Mo Bus hold the secret to getting more people on board? Or is the key to better urban mobility something more?

With cities increasingly drowning in their own runoff, urban flooding has become a common sight from Chennai to Belagavi. As traditional drainage systems fall short, the innovative concept of "Sponge City" offers a fresh perspective, making urban spaces more absorbent to manage excess water. While the vision sounds promising, can concrete-dense cities really transform into water-soaking sponges?

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?

Towering landfills like Ghazipur are more than just urban eyesores; they’re a looming health threat! As cities struggle with legacy waste, some are turning to bio-mining to reclaim land and reduce pollution. Chandigarh’s Dadumajra dumpsite is one such effort, aiming to transform waste into reusable resources. With SBM 2.0 pushing smaller cities to act, could bio-mining be the solution to India’s waste mountain crisis?

Who is making it easy for us to move? Behind India’s mobility shift are unlikely partnerships. Governments, CSOs, residents, and even e-bike startups are all co-creating better transport. From Cycle Days to Handlebar Surveys, citizen engagement is no longer symbolic. It’s strategic, sustained, and reshaping the rules of how cities listen, plan, and move forward.

What happens when residents help design their own commute? From Bengaluru’s hotly debated bazaar pedestrianisation to nationwide ‘streets for people’ pilots, citizen voices test‑drive sustainable transport plans. Which lessons from these talks, trials, and temporary takeovers could steer India’s future mobility toward smarter, fairer city travel tomorrow?

What if the way we move in cities could change everything, from pollution to safety? India's non-motorised transport is on the rise, with walking and cycling reshaping life, promising steps toward a greener, healthier future. What challenges lie ahead, and how could active mobility cut through the urban chaos?

What exactly is Fare Free Public Transport, and can it really solve India’s urban mobility challenges? While some have embraced free rides, especially to ease travel for women, the pandemic’s impact on transit finances raises tough questions. Can such policies thrive amid budget crises and changing travel habits? This complex idea holds promise but also presents surprising trade-offs ahead.

As India’s cities struggle with rising pollution, water scarcity, and rapid urban growth, the governance of urban forests is emerging as a critical issue. Larger cities are taking steps to manage their green spaces, but smaller cities, often with limited resources, face significant hurdles. Can decentralised urban forestry be the solution, or will fragmented efforts continue to undermine effective management of green spaces in urban areas?

Public transport in smaller Indian cities was already struggling before COVID-19. But what did the pandemic do to these travel patterns? It sparked shifts in how people move, revealing new trends in private vehicle use and non-motorised transport. These changes carry both opportunities and challenges, especially outside major metros.

A closer look at over 50 studies reveals what’s missing in India’s mobility conversations: small cities. From outdated data to metro-centric research, the gaps are clear. But within these blind spots lie crucial opportunities. Could rethinking where knowledge comes from reshape how we plan transport in urban India?

Urban transport in India often focuses on metros, sidelining the unique realities of smaller cities. With limited data, varying insights, and one-size-fits-all solutions, real needs go unheard. When policies don’t fit the context, problems multiply. The story of India’s small cities is incomplete, and it’s starting to show.

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?

Indian cities are making waves in global rankings, but the results can be puzzling. While Hyderabad and Bengaluru top growth charts, they lag in innovation and quality of life. With numerous indices measuring everything from economic potential to mobility, Indian cities often find themselves on different ends of the spectrum. But do these rankings really reflect urban realities, or is there more to the story?

At Arthan’s Tomorrow’s Liveable Cities event, experts shared insights on making people central to urban planning, leveraging knowledge for better governance, and enabling organizations to serve citizens effectively. From community-driven initiatives to innovative tech solutions, diverse voices highlighted the power of collaboration. At the end of the day, these discussions aimed to answer one fundamental question: How can cities become truly livable?

Sherlock Holmes knew the value of data, and so did the British when planning cantonment towns. From colonial strategies to modern city planning, public health was the cornerstone, driven by meticulous documentation and contextual insights. Today, as cities rethink their futures post-COVID, can we learn from the structured yet practical approach of cantonments? At the end of the day, the question remains: How can cities effectively bridge data and decision-making?

What shapes the cities we live in? Behind every street and service lies a web of rules, roles, and decisions. Nāgrika's Governance Series draws open the curtain on local municipal governments – those closest to citizens – revealing how they keep India’s urban life ticking and evolving.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to empower city governments has never been clearer. Our op-ed on CitizenMatters highlights how local governments, being closest to citizens, are crucial in responding to crises. From Mumbai’s building lockdowns to Hyderabad’s use of self-help groups, cities worldwide have demonstrated their capability to act decisively. But as we move forward, how can we ensure cities are more equitable and resilient for all their citizens?