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?

Swachh Survekshan isn’t just about rankings; it’s about mobilising citizens for cleaner cities. As assessors quiz residents on their city’s cleanliness efforts, awareness plays a crucial role in a city's score. From waste workers educating locals to apps connecting citizens to services, every small action matters. How can one help their city rise in the ranks? It’s all about collaboration and pride in keeping one's city clean.

In small towns like Ambikapur, Alappuzha, and Vengurla, waste management has taken a turn for the innovative. From exchanging plastic for meals to transforming landfills into parks, these cities are showing that size doesn't limit creativity. What if these local solutions could inspire change on a larger scale? How might our own cities rethink waste management to create a cleaner, more sustainable future?

Cooperative banks in India, initially formed to cater to underserved communities, are now facing pressures to commercialise and compete with larger, profit-driven banks. While their growth reflects trust and success, the shift towards commercial models threatens the social welfare principles that founded them. The question remains: Should cooperatives evolve into commercial entities, or should they stay rooted in community service, preserving their founding ideals? The future

Cities in India have long been shaped by constitutional changes, but how much power do they really have? Our pan-India study with Praja Foundation is digging deep into the reality of urban governance, exploring the gap between what’s on paper and what’s happening on the ground. From administrative control to actual decentralisation, the study unveils surprising insights. Are our cities truly empowered, or just caught in the maze of state control?

2018 was a year where cities in India took center stage: politically, economically, and socially. From rising citizen participation to international partnerships, urban life saw transformative change. With rankings, policies, and citizen-led initiatives making waves, cities found their voices louder than ever. As cities continue to evolve, how ready are they to meet the challenges of tomorrow in and inclusive and sustainable manner?

From the turn of the 19th century to today, public health in urban spaces has been shaped by both reform and crisis. The shift in responsibility from state to local bodies has given rise to innovative solutions in cities, big and small, across India. In embracing cleaner, more sustainable practices, how are cities redefining local governance’s role in urban health? And what does this shift mean for the cities we often overlook?

Public toilets in India are more than just a convenience; they are essential for public health, dignity, and urban mobility. Yet, poor maintenance and user perceptions continue to hinder their effectiveness. As cities expand and innovate, can better upkeep, creative partnerships, and smarter designs finally change how we think about public sanitation? The answer might just reshape the way we view these essential urban spaces.

Nagpur and Shimla may both be Tier-I cities, but that label tells us little about their unique challenges. India’s cities vary vastly in size, climate, and function. So urban diversity can’t be captured by population alone, but that’s how cities are often categorised. Could a better system help craft smarter policies? Rethinking city classification might just be the key to unlocking more effective urban planning.