October 11, 2025

From Happy Neighbourhoods to Happy Cities: Embedding Happiness in India’s Urban Master Plans

Introduction In recent years, the importance of happiness and well-being has increasingly been recognized in the context of urban development and public policy. Traditional metrics of progress, such as GDP and infrastructure indices, often fail to capture the psychological and social dimensions of urban life. India, currently undergoing rapid urbanisation, is at a critical juncture […]

July 10, 2025

The Daily Commute and Its Psychological Toll: Unpacking the Mental Health Consequences

In contemporary urban environments, daily commuting has evolved into an essential yet psychologically taxing routine. Urban mobility systems, while enabling economic productivity and spatial connectivity, often impose significant mental health burdens on commuters. Extended travel times, overcrowded transit systems, traffic congestion, unpredictability, and noise pollution collectively contribute to heightened stress, anxiety, and reduced well-being. The […]

June 25, 2025

Clarence Perry’s Neighbourhood Concept and Its Relevance to the 15-Minute City Concept

Introduction The evolution of urban planning has consistently been marked by innovative concepts aimed at enhancing livability and sustainability in urban environments. Clarence Perry’s neighborhood unit concept, formulated in the early 20th century, has been a foundational influence in planning, advocating for self-contained neighborhoods designed to meet the needs of modern living. In recent years, […]

June 25, 2025

Urban Digital Twins and Data-Driven Decision Making: Transforming City Planning

Introduction In the realm of contemporary urban planning, Urban Digital Twins and data-driven decision-making have emerged as transformative tools. Urban Digital Twins are virtual models that replicate physical urban environments, allowing city planners and policymakers to simulate scenarios, test solutions, and predict outcomes with unprecedented accuracy. When coupled with real-time data analysis, these digital counterparts […]

June 18, 2025

Census 2027: A Crucial Milestone for Urban Planning in India

As India stands at the cusp of a transformative urban century, the upcoming Census 2027 promises to be one of the most significant sources of data for shaping the nation’s urban future. With an expected population of over 1.5 billion, India is not only the world’s most populous country but also among the fastest urbanizing. […]

June 18, 2025

Digital Disruption in Urban Design: Navigating the New Era

Introduction Digital disruption is redefining urban design, fundamentally altering how cities are planned, built, and experienced. As cities grapple with the challenges of rapid urbanization, climate change, and social inequality, digital technologies offer tools that bring transformative potential to urban environments. Digital disruption in urban design involves the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial […]

March 20, 2025

World Happiness Report 2025: Key Insights on Global Well-Being

The World Happiness Report 2025, released on March 20, 2025, to mark the United Nations International Day of Happiness, offers a detailed look at global happiness levels and the factors driving them. Published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an […]

March 20, 2025

AI-Powered Maps Reveal Urban Green Space Gaps—and a Path to Equity

A cutting-edge AI tool unveiled in March 2025 is pulling back the curtain on a hidden urban divide: access to green spaces. Developed by researchers featured in ScienceDaily, this system maps city parks, trees, and gardens with pinpoint precision, exposing a tale of two cities within places like New York, Mumbai, and beyond. Affluent neighborhoods […]

March 20, 2025

Google’s AI Accelerator Bets Big on Climate Solutions for Cities

Google is throwing its tech muscle behind urban sustainability with the launch of its “Google for Startups Accelerator: AI for Nature and Climate” in March 2025. This global program is hunting for innovators who wield artificial intelligence to tackle pressing urban woes—think smarter flood defenses, energy-saving grids, or tools to protect shrinking city biodiversity. With […]

March 14, 2025

Patrick Geddes and the Shaping of Modern City Planning

Patrick Geddes (1854–1932), a pioneering urban planner and sociologist, profoundly influenced the way cities are conceptualized and designed. His contributions laid the groundwork for modern urban planning by emphasizing a holistic and ecological approach to urban development. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Geddes viewed cities as dynamic, living organisms, advocating for planning strategies that were […]