Articles by Shivani Singh
Climate-proofing cities: Will Mumbai pilot offer lessons?
Although delayed, actions to minimise the impact of an expected climate upheaval have been initiated across our country
![Heavy rainfall waterlogged parts of the national capital last month. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo) Heavy rainfall waterlogged parts of the national capital last month. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2024/07/07/150x84/Heavy-rainfall-waterlogged-parts-of-the-national-c_1720367709801.jpg)
Published on Jul 07, 2024 09:25 PM IST
Urban planning must focus on land for public purposes: Author Vidyadhar Phatak
Phatak’s book argues that planners should not prescribe population densities in cities; that, as believed, the market does not “faithfully” follow development plans
![Vidyadhar Phatak has boldly questioned the axioms of a good city in his new book, Planning for India’s Urbanisation. (HT photo sourced) Vidyadhar Phatak has boldly questioned the axioms of a good city in his new book, Planning for India’s Urbanisation. (HT photo sourced)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/05/22/150x84/Vidyadhar-Phatak-has-boldly-questioned-the-axioms-_1716361678047.png)
Published on May 22, 2024 12:38 PM IST
Learning the way of the water holds the key to decluttering city traffic
Water transport lost favour as roads and bridges made travel faster. But that is not the case anymore. Now, waterways offer parallel routes to many destinations
![The Kochi water metro (Twitter/CMOKerala) The Kochi water metro (Twitter/CMOKerala)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/04/16/148x111/The-Kochi-water-metro-will-provide-the-cheapest-tr_1682229589387_1713286991331.jpg)
Updated on Apr 17, 2024 11:38 AM IST
Contrary to popular narrative, India not urbanising rapidly: OP Mathur
According to Mathur, rural-to-urban migration in India is low compared to other countries because the languages, religions and habits differ.
![Om Prakash Mathur is Visiting Senior Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) Research Foundation and Senior Fellow, Global Cities Institute, University of Toronto. (HT Photo) Om Prakash Mathur is Visiting Senior Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) Research Foundation and Senior Fellow, Global Cities Institute, University of Toronto. (HT Photo)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/04/06/150x84/Om-Prakash-Mathur-is-Visiting-Senior-Fellow--Centr_1712424154319.jpeg)
Updated on Apr 06, 2024 10:53 PM IST
We can’t air-condition our way out of global heating problem: UN heat officer
In 2022, the two organisations announced a collaboration and created this position to mainstream heat response and resilience-building actions in cities worldwide
![Eleni Myrivili, the first global chief heat officer for the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and senior advisor to the US-based Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Centre. (HT) Eleni Myrivili, the first global chief heat officer for the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and senior advisor to the US-based Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Centre. (HT)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/02/25/150x84/Eleni-Myrivili--the-first-global-chief-heat-office_1708885883338.jpg)
Updated on Feb 26, 2024 05:56 AM IST
‘BRT works when it provides efficient service and end-to-end connectivity’
Shivanand Swamy, professor emeritus at the centre of excellence in urban transport at CEPT University, bats for the BRT in Indian cities
![Delhi dismantled its lone BRT corridor in 2016. (HT Archive) Delhi dismantled its lone BRT corridor in 2016. (HT Archive)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/01/14/150x84/Delhi-dismantled-its-lone-BRT-corridor-in-2016---H_1705233993608.jpg)
Updated on Jan 14, 2024 05:45 PM IST
‘Cities at centre of climate discussion for first time’
Interview with Shruti Narayan, regional director, South and West Asia, at C40 Cities, following the recently held Conference of the Parties (COP)
![Shruti Narayan, regional director, South and West Asia, at C40 Cities. (HT Photo) Shruti Narayan, regional director, South and West Asia, at C40 Cities. (HT Photo)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/12/24/150x84/Shruti-Narayan--regional-director--South-and-West-_1703438427307.jpg)
Published on Dec 24, 2023 10:50 PM IST
‘Easiest way to control urban flooding is giving water more space’: Prof
Peking University professor Kongjian Yu says sponge city is a model based on the regulation of stormwater adaptation to the monsoon.
![Parts of Delhi were flooded this monsoon, with the Yamuna forcefully reclaiming some of the territory it lost to hyper-urbanisation. (HT Photo) Parts of Delhi were flooded this monsoon, with the Yamuna forcefully reclaiming some of the territory it lost to hyper-urbanisation. (HT Photo)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/10/29/150x84/Parts-of-Delhi-were-flooded-this-monsoon--with-the_1698584569001.jpg)
Updated on Oct 30, 2023 12:53 AM IST
Cities must transform to gain from reform push, finds report
The Annual Survey of India’s City-Systems: Shaping India’s Urban Agenda noted that urbanisation in India is outpacing outlays in civic spending
![Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri launching the ASICS report in Delhi on Tuesday. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo) Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri launching the ASICS report in Delhi on Tuesday. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/10/17/150x84/Union-minister-Hardeep-Singh-Puri-launching-the-AS_1697565345700.jpg)
Updated on Oct 18, 2023 05:30 AM IST
India is urbanising faster than the cities can catch up: Janaagraha ASICS report
The ASICS report said development authorities and not city governments were leading devolution process except Mumbai, where the mayor serves in planning committee
![Commuters rush towards the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) train station at dusk in Mumbai, India, on Wednesday (Bloomberg File) Commuters rush towards the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) train station at dusk in Mumbai, India, on Wednesday (Bloomberg File)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/10/17/150x84/Commuters-rush-towards-the-Chhatrapati-Shivaji-Ter_1697558563486.jpg)
Updated on Oct 17, 2023 09:32 PM IST
‘Increase investments to address infra deficit, achieve sustainable development’
CDRI has made a strong case for enhanced investments in systems and structures that can withstand natural hazards and climate change-induced disasters
![Police, SDRF, ITBP, and army personal during rescue operations in Shimla on August 14. (Deepak Sansta/HT Photo) Police, SDRF, ITBP, and army personal during rescue operations in Shimla on August 14. (Deepak Sansta/HT Photo)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/10/15/150x84/Police--SDRF--ITBP--and-army-personal-during-rescu_1697372321169.jpg)
Published on Oct 15, 2023 05:48 PM IST
'If you wait till everyone owns cars, they'll vote against road-pricing'
Walter Theseira, of the Singapore University of Social Science, says if congestion charges are adequate, driving a car will be a choice rather than a necessity.
![Congestion on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road on September 27.(MTF_Mobility) Congestion on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road on September 27.(MTF_Mobility)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/10/01/148x111/Bangalore_traffic_MTF_Mobility_1696167604717_1696167643661.jpg)
Published on Oct 01, 2023 06:37 PM IST
Road ahead for gridlocked Bengaluru: Congestion pricing or parking reform?
Cities such as Singapore, London and Stockholm that have imposed congestion pricing have demonstrated the complexities the exercise involves
![Vehicles stranded in a massive traffic congestion in Outer Ring Road corridor in Bengaluru on September 27, 2023.(Mahadevapura Task Force Mobility/ X) Vehicles stranded in a massive traffic congestion in Outer Ring Road corridor in Bengaluru on September 27, 2023.(Mahadevapura Task Force Mobility/ X)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/09/28/148x111/Vehicles-stranded-in-a-massive-traffic-congestion-_1695844041119_1695889686117.jpeg)
Published on Sep 28, 2023 02:01 PM IST
‘India is the country that will benefit most from parking reforms’
Indian cities have some of the most valuable land on earth. Yet it’s free if you bring a car. And if you don’t have a car, you get nothing, says Donald Shoup
![Donald Shoup is a professor of urban planning at University of California, Los Angeles, and globally, one of the foremost advocates of parking reforms. (HT Photo) Donald Shoup is a professor of urban planning at University of California, Los Angeles, and globally, one of the foremost advocates of parking reforms. (HT Photo)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/09/20/150x84/Donald-Shoup-is-a-professor-of-urban-planning-at-U_1695209771731.jpg)
Updated on Sep 20, 2023 05:06 PM IST
‘Indian cities need diversity in housing stock, more open space’
Master plans in Indian cities have not paid attention to the urban economy aspect, says UN Habitat’s Parul Agarwala
![Singapore or Hong Kong are not just high-rises. They have a high-density core, commercial areas, and high-rise apartments, which cater to a population that likes that lifestyle.In the periphery, there are bungalows with front yards and backyards. Indian cities, like Gurugram (above) need to do the same. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo) Singapore or Hong Kong are not just high-rises. They have a high-density core, commercial areas, and high-rise apartments, which cater to a population that likes that lifestyle.In the periphery, there are bungalows with front yards and backyards. Indian cities, like Gurugram (above) need to do the same. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/08/20/150x84/Singapore-or-Hong-Kong-are-not-just-high-rises--Th_1692546732995.jpg)
Updated on Aug 20, 2023 09:22 PM IST
Global climate finance key for cities to battle climate crisis: Kevin Austin
Kevin Austin of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group emphasised the need for data, political will, and technical capacity building to support climate action
![Kevin Austin is the deputy executive director at C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group -- a network of 100 international cities and one of the global conveners of Urban-20. Kevin Austin is the deputy executive director at C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group -- a network of 100 international cities and one of the global conveners of Urban-20.](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/08/01/150x84/Kevin-Austin-is-the-deputy-executive-director-at-C_1690880995858.jpg)
Updated on Aug 01, 2023 05:58 PM IST
Shivani Singh, New Delhi
Public transit not judged by efficiency, but by how many use it: OP Agarwal
Retired IAS officer and former CEO of World Resources Institute (India) OP Agarwal speaks about issues plaguing urban transport, among other concerns
![Agarwal said smaller cities haven’t got much attention regarding transport planning. (Twitter | OP Agarwal) Agarwal said smaller cities haven’t got much attention regarding transport planning. (Twitter | OP Agarwal)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/07/17/150x84/Aggarwal-said-smaller-cities-haven-t-got-much-atte_1689572394335.jpg)
Updated on Jul 17, 2023 11:10 AM IST
Yamuna back to reclaim its floodplain in Delhi
Experts say that even temporary construction on the floodplain can destroy the local ecology and restrict the natural flow of water
![A flooded Red Fort area on Thursday. (Reuters) A flooded Red Fort area on Thursday. (Reuters)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/07/14/150x84/A-flooded-Red-Fort-area-on-Thursday---Reuters-_1689324561959.jpg)
Updated on Jul 14, 2023 02:19 PM IST
'Climate crisis not only urban, but also rural and developmental': IIHS director
Aromar Revi, director of the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, says climate change will trigger water and food crises.
![Aromar Revi, director of the Bengaluru-based Indian Institute for Human Settlements and a coordinating lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Aromar Revi, director of the Bengaluru-based Indian Institute for Human Settlements and a coordinating lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/05/28/150x84/Aromar-Revi--director-of-the-Bengaluru-based-India_1685299472627.jpg)
Updated on May 29, 2023 05:39 PM IST
Success in transport lies in buses, says Shashi Verma
Shashi Verma, chief technology officer at TfL, talked to HT about the key issues in transport planning for urban centres, big and small.
![Shashi Verma, chief technology officer at TfL. (HT Photo) Shashi Verma, chief technology officer at TfL. (HT Photo)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/03/12/150x84/Shashi-Verma--chief-technology-officer-at-TfL---HT_1678647986456.jpg)
Published on Mar 13, 2023 12:36 AM IST
Metro Matters | Delhi’s pedestrianisation projects deserve another push
Ensuring walkability in a car-crazy city is no easy task. It requires a consolidated effort to ensure proper implementation, maintenance and scaling up of pedestrian projects
![The projects at Ajmal Khan Road and Chandni Chowk — two of the oldest and the most congested shopping streets in Delhi — created hope that more markets would be inspired to go motor vehicle-free. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO) The projects at Ajmal Khan Road and Chandni Chowk — two of the oldest and the most congested shopping streets in Delhi — created hope that more markets would be inspired to go motor vehicle-free. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2022/02/17/148x111/5d5b0e92-8aca-11eb-af96-ff2673230aac_1616389008290_1645104954775.jpg)
Updated on Feb 19, 2022 03:17 PM IST
Metro Matters | In Delhi, creating open spaces for every neighbourhood
Nearly one-fourth of Delhi is green, but it has to find ways to ensure a more equitable distribution of open areas for residents to have access to quality outdoor spaces locally
![Indeed, Delhi is quite green for a tightly packed metropolis. (Sonu Mehta/HT File Photo) Indeed, Delhi is quite green for a tightly packed metropolis. (Sonu Mehta/HT File Photo)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2022/01/22/148x111/f8f74080-360c-11ec-8d13-18e268dfc278_1635219071981_1642848302630.jpg)
Updated on Jan 24, 2022 02:23 PM IST
Metro Matters | The need to declutter Delhi
Time agencies and communities came together to enforce parking rules and declutter Delhi
![While most other Indian cities would struggle with where to start, Delhi already has a roadmap in place(HT Archive) While most other Indian cities would struggle with where to start, Delhi already has a roadmap in place(HT Archive)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2022/01/07/148x111/845ba628-6cbf-11ec-afdc-402d14cff529_1641233130997_1641542737904.jpg)
Published on Jan 07, 2022 01:38 PM IST
Metro Matters | Needed: Systemic changes to prevent air emergencies in Delhi-NCR
Temporary measures, experts say, are meant to prevent any further build-up in the air pollution levels and only buy time for the wind to pick up
![Fundamentally, air pollution cannot be brushed off as a seasonal woe where the union and state governments only begin to react after the winter smog starts setting in (Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times) Fundamentally, air pollution cannot be brushed off as a seasonal woe where the union and state governments only begin to react after the winter smog starts setting in (Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/12/15/150x84/74cf06a6-5d7d-11ec-a699-ff3e8015d447_1639555519620.jpg)
Updated on Dec 15, 2021 01:55 PM IST
Metro Matters | To defeat dengue, Delhi needs a multipronged approach
The disease burden can be reduced with disciplined urbanisation, provision of basic amenities, public participation and sustained prevention mechanisms
![Rainfall, humidity and temperature determine dengue transmission dynamics not just in Delhi but all across the world where the disease is endemic (Hindustan Times) Rainfall, humidity and temperature determine dengue transmission dynamics not just in Delhi but all across the world where the disease is endemic (Hindustan Times)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/11/27/150x84/b276917a-4f42-11ec-a68c-37f249228cf9_1638008815270.jpg)
Updated on Nov 27, 2021 04:13 PM IST
Delhi’s pollution action plan stuck in fine print and protocol, needs relook
Experts said these protocols need a relook to make pollution control measures pre-emptive and not reactive as they are now.
![A worker sprays water on trees as part of efforts to curb air pollution, in New Delhi. (PTI Photo) A worker sprays water on trees as part of efforts to curb air pollution, in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/11/14/148x111/PTI11_14_2021_000037B_1636929686652_1636929696340.jpg)
Updated on Nov 15, 2021 04:52 AM IST
Metro Matters | Delhi must make reduce, reuse fashionable again
Reduce, repair and reuse are not alien concepts. These are traditional practices that just need refurbishing to make them fashionable again
![Resource efficiency itself comes with multiple benefits. According to the 2019 draft national policy, it saves cost by reducing material use, reduces social conflicts due to mining, increases job opportunities and reduces climate change and environmental degradation. (Ravi Choudhary/HT PHOTO) Resource efficiency itself comes with multiple benefits. According to the 2019 draft national policy, it saves cost by reducing material use, reduces social conflicts due to mining, increases job opportunities and reduces climate change and environmental degradation. (Ravi Choudhary/HT PHOTO)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/11/09/150x84/2baec2a0-4120-11ec-ad0c-dd2840806c5c_1636439464555.jpg)
Updated on Nov 09, 2021 12:03 PM IST
Metro Matters | Green infra is the health insurance Delhi needs
It took extreme rain to offer relief from Delhi’s high pollution in Delhi. But two wrongs do not make a right and the capital must act now to safeguard against these human-induced threats
![Controlling farm fires and baseline local pollution will still require combined administrative action and citizen participation from Delhi and its neighbouring states (Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times) Controlling farm fires and baseline local pollution will still require combined administrative action and citizen participation from Delhi and its neighbouring states (Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/25/150x84/f5204504-3564-11ec-9d3e-4258c07eb2f2_1635147007132.jpg)
Updated on Oct 25, 2021 08:03 PM IST
Shivani Singh, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
Delhi Master Plan 2041: People, processes, accountability key to implementation
A plan is only as good as its execution. Here is how to ensure that MPD-2041 does not meet the fate of its three predecessors, which mostly remained on paper
![Representational image. (HT Archive) Representational image. (HT Archive)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/08/06/150x84/a9efc318-f6b5-11eb-9ccb-8f9cbd611d0f_1628254798375.jpg)
Updated on Aug 06, 2021 06:34 PM IST
Delhi Master Plans: The price of under-implementation since 1962
The capital’s long wait continues as unrealised provisions keep resurfacing in successive plans over six decades
![DDA, the primary landowner and developer of the city, has not been able to provide enough affordable housing. A large number of people has settled for homes in unplanned unauthorised colonies built in violation of zoning regulations, mostly on land meant for agricultural use. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Archive) DDA, the primary landowner and developer of the city, has not been able to provide enough affordable housing. A large number of people has settled for homes in unplanned unauthorised colonies built in violation of zoning regulations, mostly on land meant for agricultural use. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Archive)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/08/04/150x84/0face1fc-f50a-11eb-87f0-3ed1cf33608a_1628079941264.jpg)
Updated on Aug 04, 2021 05:55 PM IST