For decades, conversations about India’s urban challenges have revolved around familiar culprits: poor governance, outdated infrastructure, and lack of resources. Rarely, however, does the spotlight shift to an equally critical player: the citizens themselves & citizen ownership of their cities.

Urban planners often observe that while people admire the cleanliness and order of cities in Europe, Japan, or Singapore, the same citizens display little ownership when it comes to their own urban environments. The prevailing attitude, “I pay taxes, it is the government’s job,” has created a dangerous distance between citizens and the cities they inhabit.

Ambitious in Private, Apathetic in Public

Ironically, the same individuals who spare no expense on personal luxuries such as SUVs, lavish weddings, or international holidays show limited ambition when it comes to demanding clean streets, safe public spaces, or better civic amenities.

There is a visible disconnect in how urban residents pursue personal well-being while overlooking the shared spaces that define the quality of life in a city. The skewed perception of success often limits aspirations to material gains, leaving the larger idea of collective urban welfare ignored.

The Occasional Spirit of Collectivism

Interestingly, during festivals, yantras, or sporting victories, communities display rare moments of unity and shared purpose. Crowds gather, celebrate, and cooperate with remarkable discipline. Yet, this sense of community fades when it comes to everyday civic responsibilities. Participation in public initiatives like cleanliness drives, community development meetings, or environmental efforts remains dismally low.

This paradox is perhaps best illustrated by the transformation of behaviour witnessed when Indians travel abroad. Many who flout traffic rules, litter, and misuse public infrastructure in India become model citizens in foreign countries, abiding by rules and respecting public spaces.

Their admiration is often summed up in statements like, “Those cities are on another level—so well-maintained and disciplined.” But the well-maintained landscapes of other nations were not created by external forces. Ordinary citizens contributed to building and sustaining them and they have taken citizen ownership.

Is Diversity an Excuse?

Some argue that India’s diversity makes governance chaotic and citizen engagement difficult. However, the success of initiatives like UPI and the rapid adoption of digital systems across economic and social strata prove otherwise. Indians can follow structured systems when well-designed platforms are offered.

Yet, in urban living, the same discipline is absent. Instead, the majority operate like system hackers, bypassing traffic rules, polluting water bodies, and wasting natural resources.

Urban experts wonder whether cities need their version of an End User License Agreement (EULA), where rights and responsibilities are spelt out and accepted by all citizens. EULA is a technical term which is a legally binding contract between a software developer and the user, outlining the terms and conditions under which the software can be used. 

The irony is striking. Driving already requires a license, but weak enforcement and accountability dilute its value. The growing number of hit-and-run cases dragging on in courts reflects this systemic failure.

Reimagining Urban Citizenship & Citizen Ownership in India

Mandating civic responsibility through contracts may not be practical. Still, the question remains: how can governance and civic duty work hand in hand to rebuild cities? Is this indifference merely ignorance, or a symptom of the “chalta hai” attitude that permeates urban life?

Urban planners argue that unless citizens shift from passive consumers of urban infrastructure to active stakeholders in city-building, Indian cities will continue to lag. Without this shift, the nation risks remaining a spectator—admiring others’ cities while neglecting its own. And that is a future no city can afford.

This 3rd article is part of a series exploring the paradoxes of Indian urban planning and seeking possible solutions. Read 1st article here & 2nd here.