September 2018

We are excited to announce the launch of a network for City-Systems reforms.

The Network, a pioneering initiative anchored by Janaagraha,  supported by Mumbai-based strategic philantrophy organisation Dasra, is envisaged as a collaborative network of civil society organisations working towards driving systemic reforms in urban governance. Dehradun-based Gati Foundation became the first member of the network with the motive to improve governance in Dehradun city.

A Network for City-Systems Reforms Launched.

The Network, an initiative anchored by Janaagraha and supported by Dasra, was launched on 29th August 2018, with the on-boarding of the first partner, Gati Foundation. Gati Foundation is a Dehradun-based research and policy think-tank working on sustainable urbanisation. Janaagraha & Gati Foundation will collaborate to advocate for and implement urban governance reforms in the city of Dehradun, particularly in the areas of citizen participation in governance, participatory budgeting, citizen grievance redressal, municipal finance and transparency. Read more about the Network, here. 

Smart Street Case Study on Tender S.U.R.E.

Project Tender S.U.R.E. (Specifications for Urban Road Executions) provides guidelines on India's first design, specifications, and procurement contract, for urban roads execution. Developed by Jana Urban Space Foundation, seven roads in CBD area of Bengaluru have been redeveloped as per Tender S.U.R.E. Vizag Smart City has expressed intent to redesign two streets in a pilot using Tender S.U.R.E. To see the full Vizag Smart City presentation, please click here. 

'Project Spending' Can Take Our Cities Only So Far.

The focus in urban areas has mostly been on spot-fixes and ‘projects’, and not governance - an aspect without which our cities may not sustainably develop. Vivek Anandan Nair, Head - ASICS & Partnerships at Janaagraha writes for IDR on the importance of a root-cause framework, nested in 'systems' thinking view of urban governance to improve urban infrastructure and services. Read the full article here.

New Advertisement Policy Introduced by BBMP.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) council has introduced a new advertisement policy — the BBMP Outdoor Signage and Public Messaging Policy and Bylaws 2018 — which prohibits all commercial hoardings in the city. The policy is the result of a High Court directive to BBMP for curbing the menace of flex ads and banners in Bengaluru. Read more here. 

Odisha a Step Closer to Land Titling.

Odisha has begun the largest slum land titling project, in accordance with the Odisha Land Rights to Slum Dwellers Bill 2017. Along with the economic benefits of land titling there are social implications attached to the move. Read more about this radical move here.

NewCities Announces Wellbeing City Award.

Call for nominations for the NewCities Wellbeing City Award! Can you think of a city that has what it takes to win? Deadline for submissions is Oct 15th. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/WellbeingCityAward

We look forward to your comments and suggestions. Please write to us at asics@janaagraha.org
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You can contact us at:
Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy
4th floor, UNI Building, Thimmiah Road, Vasanth Nagar
Bangalore 560052, India, Ph:+91-80-40790400

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