Urban Legends

The Myths and Realities of City Governance

As Indian cities rapidly expand, the challenges of governing urban spaces become ever more complex. This session will explore key aspects of India’s urbanisation—land management, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, and the balance between policy and practice. It will delve into questions around power-sharing in urban governance, the role of cities in shaping societal and economic futures, and the pathways to creating livable, sustainable urban spaces for the next generation.

Dr. A Ravindra, former bureaucrat and author of Governing Urban India, will share insights from his decades of experience in managing urban growth, particularly in Karnataka. He will highlight the historical and present-day challenges in urban governance, drawing from his extensive work on urban land, infrastructure, finance, and environmental concerns. V Ravichandar, urban expert and self-proclaimed patron of lost causes, will bring his perspective on reforming governance structures and re-imagining Bengaluru’s governance model. The session will be moderated by Meera K from Citizen Matters.