http://www.airoots.org/2009/12/rethinking-urban-policy-in-india/ A blog by Rahul Srivastava and Matias Echanove on adventitious roots, urban forests and villages, natural cities, lost tribes, new nomads and everything in between and under... Tue, 13 Aug 2013 03:30:59 +0200 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://www.airoots.org/2009/12/rethinking-urban-policy-in-india/comment-page-1/#comment-4205 Himadri Sun, 12 Sep 2010 13:12:13 +0000 http://www.airoots.org/?p=824#comment-4205 Very True! that it is time to look at a model other than that of the uni-directional Mega City (as mentioned by you). To begin with, there is a need to identify 'absolute and unchanging limits' for the metropolis in terms of administrative boundaries and also start drawing the 'sphere of influence' of the neighboring economies in the state! The share of the economy of the smaller towns/villages should start determining the flow/allocation of funds! In fact, there should be 'real' cross-subsidizing of the hinterland from the mega-city. But there lies the big issue! The political agendas would like to claim votes by show-casing 'urban' projects in the more 'central' or 'visible' places! The issue is, that there is so much to do that it makes sense to start at the center (at the big city)! But it is high-time to realise that it isnt working! Very True! that it is time to look at a model other than that of the uni-directional Mega City (as mentioned by you). To begin with, there is a need to identify ‘absolute and unchanging limits’ for the metropolis in terms of administrative boundaries and also start drawing the ’sphere of influence’ of the neighboring economies in the state! The share of the economy of the smaller towns/villages should start determining the flow/allocation of funds! In fact, there should be ‘real’ cross-subsidizing of the hinterland from the mega-city. But there lies the big issue! The political agendas would like to claim votes by show-casing ‘urban’ projects in the more ‘central’ or ‘visible’ places! The issue is, that there is so much to do that it makes sense to start at the center (at the big city)! But it is high-time to realise that it isnt working!

]]> http://www.airoots.org/2009/12/rethinking-urban-policy-in-india/comment-page-1/#comment-3813 Richa Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:42:55 +0000 http://www.airoots.org/?p=824#comment-3813 It is important for centre to involve in infrastructure projects to encourage states to take initiatives, but what has been observed that it also encourages unfair distribution of funds. In a talk prof. Dinesh Mohan (TRIPP, IIT-D) mentioned that why should a person sitting in Kerala should pay for the rail road that is being built in delhi!!! The funds for an infrastructure project shuld come from its local economy. This ensures a better involvement at the community level as they become a stakeholders. A project that has a community involvement and ownership, will always be for its betterment. It is a common trend observed in most of the JNNURM projects that the locals of the city are usually unaware of the project implemented and hence it usually faces criticism. In the run of creating ' a world class city' we are almost killing the morale of the poor!! While these poor contribute the maximum to maintaining the clean environment, it is ironic that these guys suffer at teh end. It is important for centre to involve in infrastructure projects to encourage states to take initiatives, but what has been observed that it also encourages unfair distribution of funds. In a talk prof. Dinesh Mohan (TRIPP, IIT-D) mentioned that why should a person sitting in Kerala should pay for the rail road that is being built in delhi!!! The funds for an infrastructure project shuld come from its local economy. This ensures a better involvement at the community level as they become a stakeholders. A project that has a community involvement and ownership, will always be for its betterment. It is a common trend observed in most of the JNNURM projects that the locals of the city are usually unaware of the project implemented and hence it usually faces criticism. In the run of creating ‘ a world class city’ we are almost killing the morale of the poor!! While these poor contribute the maximum to maintaining the clean environment, it is ironic that these guys suffer at teh end.

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