How democracy really works
Democracy for Realists is an important critique of how democracy works in practice. Nidhi Gupta reviews the book.
THE NEWS IN PROPORTION
28 June 2017
Government : Cities
BOOK REVIEW
How democracy really works
How democracy really works
MUMBAI'S WOES
When cities go under
Mumbai is closer to finalising its 20-year development plan, from 2014 to 2034. The plan might be hiding more than it reveals, writes Darryl D'Monte.
ON THE WATERFRONT
There's more than meets the Mumbai Eye
With the arrival of a new Chairman of Mumbai Port Trust, the redevelopment of port land in Mumbai is being discussed again and like the earlier discussions this one too ignores the real needs of the city and its citizens. Darryl D’Monte elaborates.
DEVELOPMENT OF AHMEDABAD
How ‘smart’ is Ahmedabad?
As the Prime Minister launches his vision for cities in the country, it is pertinent to ask what his record has been in the largest city of the state where he was Chief Minister before becoming PM. A recent study finds many pluses, and some minuses. Darryl D'Monte reports.
POLLUTION CONTROL
What will it take to make our cities environment-smart?
PM Modi's vision of smart cities will remain unrealised till we have environmentally-smart urban centres, equipped to mitigate the severe chronic air pollution levels. But what will it entail? Sarath Guttikunda analyses.
REAL ESTATE REGULATION BILL
Commercial real estate set to be brought under new law
While a list of approved amendments to the proposed law on regulation of real estate is yet to be made public, it is now clear that the Bill will apply to commercial projects as well. Here is a round-up of the recent developments, from PRS Legislative Research.
HIGHWAY TOLLS
Why Fadnavis mustn't be soft on motorists
Sachin Tendulkar’s letter to the Maharashtra CM Fadnavis, urging him to reduce toll posts in the state, may just encourage the state further to execute its plan of exempting private cars and SUVs from such charges. Darryl D’Monte argues why that is entirely unjustifiable.
MUMBAI DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Who will benefit from the ‘Manhattanisation’ of Mumbai?
The Mumbai municipal authorities have delivered a draft 20-year development plan for the city, but implementation of many of the proposals therein could well deliver the final blow to a city already gasping for breath, says Darryl D’Monte.
SWACHH BHARAT
Those brooms may not be enough to clean our waste!
The success of ‘spot fixes’ and initiatives by independent resident-collectives or organisations in cleaning up urban spaces and dumping spots has been noteworthy, but a long-term plan for solving waste issues in Indian cities needs more. Pooja Ramamurthi explains.
CITY PLANNING
Who decides where your city ends?
As Bengaluru is proposed to be split up into different municipal corporations, Mathew Idiculla explains why it is important to examine how decisions regarding cities and their boundaries are taken.
THE URBAN VISION
Are there smarter ways to run our cities?
The ruling government has allocated 7,060 crores of rupees for smart cities, but do our realities allow for westernised ICT-driven smart cities? Darryl D’Monte dwells on what would really make our cities smart, based on deliberations at the second Urban Age conference. 
NOMENCLATURE OF CITIES
What’s in a name, really?
From Bangalore to Bengaluru, or from Bombay to Mumbai, do name changes signify attempts to shake off colonial shackles, instances of linguistic one-upmanship or merely political agenda? Supriya Unni Nair delves deeper into the practice and finds an interesting history.
URBAN AGENDA
What will it take to make our cities really smart?
The thrust on ‘smart cities’ by PM Narendra Modi has been impossible to miss since he took over the reins. Researchers Sujaya Rathi and Shrimoyee Bhattacharya look at critical considerations to be made at the pilot stage of the evolutionary journey towards such urban centres.India Together offers an excellent forum for people from diverse fields of expertise to present their views, share their experiences and raise questions about where our country and society are headed in the future.
Amitabha Basu
- Retired Scientist
- National Physical
- Laboratory
- India Together reader
India Together
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From Aug 2013, published with support from Oorvani Foundation, a champion of public-funded media for the new India.
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