Question of Cities

A botanist’s daughter and early tree activist tells the story of starting the Tree Walk to preserve the city’s green heritage. Alongside more than 100 walks since 2012, Tree Walk has evolved into a multi-pronged action group. It sees trees as loved ones and conducts last rites of felled trees to drive home a point to authorities, does tree mapping, becomes a watchdog of trees, and builds a language for people to talk about them. Bonded by their understanding of the value of trees, academicians, medical professionals, engineers, architects, scientists, students and homemakers show what people can do for trees. Read the essay by Anitha Santhi from the link in bio. #AbrahamJamun #Ecology #Environment #HarithaKeralamInitiative #KeralaForestResearchInstitute #KeralaPreservationofTreesAct1986 #KowdiarPalace #MalabarIronwood #Raretrees #ThiruvananthapuramDevelopmentAuthority #TreeCommittee #TreeMapping #TreeWalk #urbantrees

While a single tree, especially old and heritage ones like the khirni tree in Delhi or the Baobab in Mumbai’s Bandra, is priceless, a community of trees is what makes the urban green cover vibrant and self-sustaining. The roots of trees, arborists and foresters say, grow like a social network of people does, extending towards each other, passing nutrients and information along the channels. As trees in cities come under severe strain, pause and take in the shade and services they provide, and reread about some of the native ones. Read the essay by Team QoC: https://lnkd.in/dkEw_zKP #Ecosystem #Environment #Ecology #Urbanbiodiversity #TreeAuthority #Treecommunities #Aareyforest #Nativeplants #UrbanTrees Smruti Koppikar Shobha Surin Nikeita Saraf Jashvitha Dhagey

Trees are service providers to us, they perform necessary ecological functions, and they are among sturdy climate warriors there can be in a world dealing with climate change extremes. Adaptation is not something only human beings do in the climate era; trees have been silently but resolutely doing so. But there’s more to trees and plants than their use to us. Led by insightful forester-author Peter Wohlleben’s writing, we explored the lives of trees. What do they communicate to us, can we see them for the sentient beings that they are, how do they know seasons, are they intelligent beings too? Read the essay by Smruti Koppikar: https://lnkd.in/d-ZwSX3c #Airpollution #Biodiversity #ClimateChange #Climatemitigators #Ecosystem #Environment #Evapotranspiration #Nature #PeterWohlleben #Saltrees #TheHiddenLifeofTrees #UrbanTrees #TreesinCities

Hi all! This makes me extremely happy and also feeling quite humbled by the fact that our walks have found a second feature - this time for an online journal that I have been literally an ardent follower and admirer - Question of Cities . It had been a dream of mine to write for them and I'm happy to say that dream has now fruitfully come true - all thanks to our amazing participants whom I can call my Community people who have given their full contribution and dedication in order to bring forth some fruitful recollections, reflections and interventions around places/spaces/infrastructures in Kolkata. Special thanks to Jashvitha Dhagey for not only pushing me for this publication but also equally guiding through this whole process of how to bring out the story that needs to be put forth. Truly grateful. Thankful to the entire team of Gender Community Walks! This one has been possible only because of you. Here is the link to it, please read it and I would love to hear some feedbacks from stalwarts and experts who have already been in this field of city making and re-making. Thank you, have a lovely weekend everyone! https://lnkd.in/dv7pvJtt #urbanrevisioning #gendercommunitywalks #featured #questionofcities #Kolkata #genderedlens #criticalperspective #socialchange #urbanreformation #urbanplanning #socialplanning #citizenintervention #monitoring #evaluation #infrastructure #inclusivecity #caringcity #leisurefriendly #genderinclusive #approachable #accessible #affordable #feministcity #livedexperiences #embodiedexperience #reimagine #ungender #subjective #photostory #countermapping #academia #activism #everydaylife #loiter #Flaneuse

While we, at Question of Cities, tracked developments related to cities, people, nature and climate change, we quietly totted up a handful of achievements that delighted us, reaffirmed our path, and committed us to do more. QoC is, even if we say so, India’s only online journal dedicated to cities, ecology, and social equity. Our approach has been to do in-depth think pieces or ground reports on a theme in every edition that we publish fortnightly. It warms us that the effort is being recognised. Thank you for being a part of our year. From the QoC team, wishing you a fulfilling and happy 2025. Smruti Koppikar Shobha Surin Nikeita Saraf Jashvitha Dhagey #newyear #21stcenturycities #natureincities #climatejustice #newyear2025 #citiesforpeople

When we look back at the year fast closing upon us all, there was not much to cheer about how our cities were built, how the environment was undermined in the name of development, and how people mostly coped with the extreme weather events by themselves or turned into eco-warriors. There were some wins and hits that delighted us and made us commit even more to the path we are on. But, as we head into a new year, the question we have to ask is: Who are cities for? Read the year-ender review by Team Question of Cities: https://lnkd.in/dVvd5sJM #newyear #21stcenturycities #natureincities #climatejustice #newyear2025 #citiesforpeople Smruti Koppikar Shobha Surin Nikeita Saraf Jashvitha Dhagey

The average Air Quality Index shows only the central or typical value. It cannot be an accurate representation of air quality in different areas of cities. Beyond the average, it’s clear that some areas have cleaner air and better readings than the city’s AQI while others have much higher pollution levels. The readings across areas of Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur show this. City-level action plans to fight air pollution flatten the peaks and may not address the disparities within cities. Authorities need to devise mitigation plans based on the micro-climate in different areas, addressing local factors, to make a real difference. Read the essay by Nikeita Saraf: https://lnkd.in/da9T7sJh #Delhiair #Delhipollution #DelhiAQI #Airpollution #AirQualityIndex #Environment #GradedResponseActionPlan #Microclimates #unequalexposure #Vehicularemissions

Read the story: https://lnkd.in/dcNgjVHW Like other aspects of cities, air pollution too affects women and men differently. Besides the usual respiratory ailments associated with poor quality air, women’s reproductive health, mental health, even anaemia levels show adverse impacts. This is particularly acute for women who work outdoors like street sweepers, vendors, gig workers who carry a double load with indoor air pollution from using firewood or badly-ventilated houses adding to the poor quality air outside. Studies have affirmed the gendered impacts including along class and caste lines; these need to be recognised and addressed in policy and action. www.questionofcities.org #Delhiair #Delhipollution #DelhiAQI #Airpollution #AirQualityIndex #Environment #Gender #GradedResponseActionPlan #Healthcare #NationalGreenTribunal #Publicspaces #WomenGigworkers #Womenstreetvendors

Question of Cities

Air pollution remains a critical issue across the country, especially in cities like Delhi, where despite measures like GRAP IV, people often find ways to bypass regulations. Beyond Delhi and other major cities, smaller towns also suffer from severe pollution, but the issue often goes unreported. This negligence continues to harm public health. To address this, rules must be enforced uniformly, awareness campaigns launched to educate people about the dangers, and strict penalties imposed on violators. Collective efforts and public accountability are essential for cleaner, healthier air. It's a big question as reported by Question of Cities