[Urbanstudy] Chinese city paralysed

[ESG India Gmail]

This spectacular picture speaks eloquently about the price we end up paying for undemocratic urbanisation, as is the norm in China.  India is no different.  Most of our metros are being expanded based on the decisions of a few, particularly cronies of those in power.  Were there deeply democratic and meaningful public involvement in planning rebuilding and expansion of cities, hundreds of fisherfolk and farmers would have been able to speak and tell planners and government officials not to build cities into wetlands and watercourses, and also provide a sufficient no-development buffer.  Now that does not happen. So we end up like we did in Chennai last year, in Mumbai and Bangalore now, and as is seen in most new cities of China- all built with hubris.

Modi's, not India's, "smart cities" are rushing down the China lane of urbanisation.

The Amravathi that Naidu is rushing to build, is more than likely to look like this Chinese city (in picture) sometime in the future.

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