
As Ease of Living Index 2020 is released, a look at the relevance of 'liveability' in India, and what it entails
While the EOL Index provides a good comparative benchmark to promote healthy competition among cities, urban India needs a much more disaggregated index at the ward or zonal level to prepare local area action plans and to promote citizens' participation in the urban development process.

Redevelopment plans for Dharavi are focused on high rises. COVID-19 crisis underlines critics' concerns about blinkered approach
In the post-COVID world, how much would design and structural modifications in places like Dharavi, contribute to bringing about substantial change in the living conditions of people living in overcrowded slums? Journalist and researcher Dipti Nagpaul explores.

Sebi proposes changes to norms for municipal bonds, minimum subscription amount reduced
In 2017, Sebi eased rules governing the issuance of municipal bonds in order to boost such bond market

Cabinet Secretariat steps in as mounting litigation stalls Rs 1.5 lakh cr worth of infra projects, leading to delays, cost overruns
Among the ministries that have been asked to submit details, Ministry of Railways with over 66,000 pending cases contributes the highest number.

Firstpost Salon | In the discourse on urban development, architects must not remain in the periphery: In conversation with Sameep Padora
While aiming to produce Shanghai's and Hong Kong's out of our Indian cities, have we forgotten that it is the people who ought to be at the heart of urban development? Architect Sameep Padora, who believes that politics and architecture are not always mutually exclusive, speaks to us about the importance of strengthening local systems in the cities, and why architects must not be pushed to the periphery when bureaucrats talk about urban development.

Conditions in Jammu highlight the sewage crisis underlying our Swachh Bharat
India has the capacity to treat only 37 percent of the sewage generated in urban areas.

World Cities Day: From safest to least liveable, take this quiz to check your knowledge about global cities
World Cities Day is observed on 31 October. The concept was first brought about by United Nations.

UP sees sharp fall in encephalitis cases this year; health minister credits 'concerted efforts of six departments'
A total of 1,427 Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) were reported till 9 August, 2018 in the state which led to 111 deaths. There over 5,400 cases in 2017, leading to 748 deaths, and 4,353 cases and 715 deaths in 2016.

Democracy In India Part 5: Cities are drivers of democratic change, secure rights and liberties of individuals
Cities are drivers of economic growth and social progress. In democracies, cities engender exponential awareness of democratic rights.

Nitin Patel agrees to take charge after Amit Shah assures him of a portfolio fitting his 'stature'
A brewing crisis in the Gujarat government seems to have blown over after Amit Shah reached out to sulking Nitin Patel, who had delayed taking charge over not getting portfolios of his choice in the new Cabinet.

Out of Rs 9,860 crore released for 60 cities under Smart City Mission, only Rs 645 crore used so far, reveals data
Out of Rs 9,860 crore released to 60 cities under the Smart City Mission only seven percent, or about Rs 645 crore, have been utilised so far

Arvind Kejriwal not invited for inauguration of Delhi Metro's Magenta Line; Narendra Modi, Yogi Adityanath to attend
The inauguration ceremony of the Noida-Kalkaji metro service does not include the name of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal

Linking Aadhaar to real estate deals: Why it is need of the hour to bring benami transactions to light
Immovable properties remain impervious to Aadhaar scrutiny which is why the Urban Development Minister has mooted this suggestion

After Ghazipur landfill fire, NGT asks Delhi govt to convene meeting of stakeholders to avoid similar incidents
The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi chief secretary to convene a meeting of stakeholders to ensure that the landfill sites in the city do not catch fire and add to pollution.

Smart cities to have digital "brain centres": Union Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra
The 'brain centres' of the Smart Cities are for ensuring effective coordination in the functioning of various agencies of urban local bodies.

India backs creation of UN outfit to coordinate world's activities for urban development
India has expressed support for the creation of UN-Urban, an outfit to coordinate the world body's activities for urban development.

Union Cabinet approves the new Metro Rail policy; makes private partnership mandatory
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved its Metro Rail Policy 2017 focusing on compact urban development, cost reduction and multi-modal integration.

Cabinet reshuffle likely in Monsoon Session: Venkaiah Naidu's nomination vacates two key portfolios
Naidu, whose candidature as the NDA's vice presidential candidate was announced on Monday, currently holds charge of the ministries of Information and Broadcasting and Urban Development.

Madhya Pradesh CM launches MP e-nagarpalika, a mobile app for 370 services of civic bodies
Over 370 services of civic bodies will now be available online round the clock in Madhya Pradesh through a mobile app.

Karnataka govt scraps Bengaluru steel flyover project in a major victory to citizens' protests
In a major victory to protesting Bengaluru residents, the Karnataka government on Thursday decided to withdraw the steel flyover project connecting Chalukya circle to the Hebbal flyover. Reports suggest that Karnataka Urban Development minister KJ george will soon announce the decision in public.