Writing
Research & Writing
Policy essays, planning research, and urban systems analysis.
Urban Governance in Indian Cities
Decentralisation, Institutional Fragmentation, and the 74th CAA
Three decades after the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act promised decentralisation, Indian urban local bodies remain structurally weak, fiscally constrained, and functionally fragmented. This essay examines why ULBs continue to struggle for meaningful autonomy and what institutional reforms are needed.
Improving Street Design and Public Space Systems
Lessons from Indian Cities for a Pedestrian-First Street Policy
Indian cities have been systematically designed for vehicles, not people. This essay argues for a fundamental shift in street design philosophy — towards complete streets that prioritize pedestrian movement, public life, and equitable access.
Spatial Data Infrastructure for Urban Planning
Building GIS Capacity for Indian Urban Local Bodies
Most Indian ULBs lack the spatial data infrastructure needed for evidence-based planning. This essay examines what a minimal viable spatial data stack looks like for a mid-size Indian city and how to build it.
Mobility Systems in Emerging Indian Cities
From Street to Network: Rethinking Urban Transport Policy
India's tier-2 and tier-3 cities face a mobility inflection point: they are large enough to suffer serious congestion but not yet committed to the auto-centric infrastructure patterns that have locked larger metros into car dependence. This window must be used wisely.