India’s cities force millions to navigate potholes, broken footpaths, and endless traffic every day—almost as if dysfunction is built into their design. But should we accept this as normal? Why have we stopped demanding cities that meet even the most basic livability standards?

Despite decades of urban planning, massive government schemes, and technological advancements, the lived reality of our cities paints a bleak picture—one where inequality, pollution, and crumbling public infrastructure have become permanent fixtures. What’s even more unsettling is how this dysfunction has been normalized across generations.

The Illusion of Progress in Cities in India

From the bustling streets of Mumbai to the emerging urban corridors of Bhubaneswar, one pattern consistently emerges- our cities measure progress through glitzy malls, glass towers, and sprawling flyovers. But what do these symbols of development offer the majority of urban dwellers?

Affordable housing, clean air, reliable public transport, and access to quality education and healthcare—these are the markers of a truly progressive city. Yet, they remain privileges enjoyed by a select few, not the fundamental rights of all. What’s worse, even in India’s wealthiest cities, parents are forced to endure exhausting commutes for good schools, and healthcare oscillates between overcrowded public hospitals and exorbitantly priced private facilities.

If development is not translating into better lives for the majority, then who is this progress really for?

The Invisible Crisis of Public Spaces in Indian Cities

While we champion smart cities and infrastructure projects, the slow disappearance of accessible public spaces goes largely unnoticed. Parks, playgrounds, and simple shaded footpaths—the very elements that make a city livable are either neglected or monetized as exclusive amenities for gated communities.

Work-life balance is often discussed as an aspirational goal, but how does one unwind in cities that offer few genuine public spaces for recreation? Why should the ability to enjoy a park or a walkable street be a luxury rather than a right?

Our cities have not only failed to provide these spaces but have conditioned us to believe that recreation is something you pay for—never something you simply have.

The Privately Managed Paradox

Curiously, some of the best-maintained urban spaces in India are found not in our cities, but within privately managed townships. Places like Magarpatta City and Amanora Park in Pune, or GIFT City in Gujarat, seem to have cracked the code. They offer clean streets, walkable footpaths, and well-maintained public spaces—exactly what cities are supposed to provide.

What makes them different? Is it their financial model, governance structure, or simply greater accountability among residents? More importantly, why should such environments be limited to gated communities instead of being the norm for all cities?

The Search for Accountability in Municipal Corporations in India

The urban crisis facing Indian cities is not simply a failure of funds or technology, it is a crisis of accountability. Systems that should protect the commons have been systematically dismantled, while private interests continue to thrive. Our governance models struggle to keep pace with the rapid social, economic, and technological changes shaping urban life.

Perhaps the biggest failure is that we, as citizens, have stopped demanding better. Footpaths, clean air, water, and public spaces are not privileges—they are basic rights. Yet, most cities don’t even maintain an inventory of these critical amenities, let alone guarantee them.

A Call to Reimagine Our Future

If Indian cities are to break free from this paradox, we must shift our mindset—from viewing cities as fragmented infrastructure projects to seeing them as shared social experiences where dignity, empathy, and collective responsibility take centre stage.

The answers will not come easily. But the first step is to acknowledge that what we’ve accepted as normal is not inevitable—it is simply the result of choices we’ve made, or worse, choices we’ve stopped making.

This 2nd article is part of a series exploring the paradoxes of Indian urban planning and seeking possible solutions. Read 1st article here.