Category Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies

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Future-Ready Cities: Could Diplomacy Drive India’s Urban Infrastructure Transformation?

In an era of rapid urbanization, India’s cities stand on the cusp of transformation. From revamping water systems to building smarter mobility networks, the nation needs robust infrastructure guided by forward-looking public policy. India’s cities are at a critical juncture. With rapid urbanization expected to push nearly 600 million Indians into cities by 2036 (NITI Aayog, 2023), the need for sustainable infrastructure has never been more urgent.

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Pathway to Progress: North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) 2017

When India speaks of inclusive development, the Northeast often features at the center of the conversation, a region of not only picturesque beauty and rich diversity but also persistent infrastructure gaps. In 2017, recognizing that existing central schemes were not fully bridging these gaps, the Government of India launched the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDONER).

Municipal

Understanding the Flaws in India’s Municipal Fiscal Architecture

Urban India generates nearly two-thirds of the national GDP, yet its municipalities control less than one per cent of the country’s tax revenue. Indian cities are not generating revenue, not because they are inefficient, but because the fiscal architecture has failed them. Today, municipal finance is dependent on intergovernmental transfers, loans, and schemes. The core of the problem lies in the centralisation of taxation powers.

Playing Against the City: Children, Space, and Everyday Negotiations in Seelampur

Tuba Athar In Seelampur, play happens between two parked scooters, between caution and curiosity. When a vehicle passes, the game pauses. The city moves on, childhood waits.  The forgotten citizens of urban India The moment I entered the lanes of…

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India–Nepal: Cross-border Pilgrimage Circuits

Nepal and India have deep cultural, social, and religious ties and have a unique and resilient connection. Tourism is a vital economic driver for both India and Nepal. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), tourism contributes over 9% to India’s GDP and provides employment to millions.

OPOD

One District One Product – 2018

Central Government initiated ODOP in all states/UTs as a transformational step to realise the potential of a district, fuel economic growth, generate employment and rural entrepreneurship and move towards the goal of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. The need for ODOP arose from the uneven development across districts, where potential-rich traditional industries lacked branding, scale, and access to formal finance.

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Integrated Coastal Zone Management- 1992

Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is a coastal management process that considers geographical and political boundaries and focuses on sustainability. The concept was developed in 1992 during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and outlined in the proceedings of Agenda 21, Chapter 17.

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