Urban Collective Action Network (U-CAN)

Rising Temperatures, Rising Women-Led #Heat Action! As a part of the #Jodhpur Heat Action Plan, MHT has trained women leaders across five slums—Mata Ka Kund, Choti Bhil Basti, Ravti, Bhuri Beri, and Juni Basti—on an efficient, affordable & accessible passive cooling solution — Solar Reflective White Paint! 750+ households are set to transform into heat-resilient spaces, offering relief from scorching temperatures, reducing indoor heat, and cutting energy costs. These women are not just leading the change—they’ve been trained to apply the paint themselves, gaining hands-on skills and strengthening community resilience. This initiative is a powerful step toward climate action and women's leadership in the face of rising heatwaves. Stay tuned to learn how Jodhpur is becoming heat-resilient! #MHTImpact #WomenLedChange #CoolHomes #HeatActionPlan #ClimateResilience #PassiveCooling #JodhpurHeatActionPlan #KeepItCool #CleanCooling #CoolingForAll??#CoolCities?#CoolRoofs #NatureBasedSolutions

"The quality of life issues in our cities are deeply impacted by city systems. If we fix these systems, many of the last mile issues will solve themselves," noted Prabhat Kumar, Head - Public Finance Management, Janaagraha, setting the context for the discussion on public finance reforms in cities. ? Janaagraha, in collaboration with XKDR Forum, hosted a roundtable on 14 February 2025 at Bangalore International Centre. The event brought together approximately 30 in-person participants and 30 online attendees from academia, research, think tanks and practitioners to cover three critical reform agendas: 1. Explored the concept and possibilities of City GST? Presented by Ajay Shah, Co-founder, XKDR Forum, who examined how direct GST sharing could reshape incentives for city governments. 2. Buoyancy of property tax and application of satellite imagery in property taxation Discussed by Manish Singh, Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee and Visiting Research Fellow, XKDR Forum, who demonstrated innovative approaches to assess property tax potential using building volume data from satellite imagery. 3. Ways to strengthen State Finance Commission (SFC)? Addressed by Susan Thomas, Senior Research Fellow and Co-founder, XKDR Forum, who proposed structural improvements to make SFCs more effective and efficient. The discussions highlighted the importance of focusing both on reform ideas and practical implementation methods through collaboration. ? As Srikanth Viswanathan, CEO, Janaagraha, aptly concluded, "We are at a point where 'what' is less important than the 'how'. The pace at which change is getting catalysed within the public system has been far slower than our discussions." #PublicFinance #PublicFinanceManagement #CityGST #PropertyTax #StateFinanceCommission #CitySystems #UrbanGovernance #UrbanDevelopment

It's Too Hot: How Do We Solve Mumbai's Heat Problems? https://lnkd.in/dqNhBFUs ? This February, Mumbai hit 38.7°C, its hottest February day in 8 years. Unusual? Not anymore. While IMD has issued a heatwave warning for the city, extreme heat events are becoming more frequent, and our cities are struggling to cope. At Artha Global, we’ve been studying how heat affects Indian cities. A few of our surveys from the summer of 2024 uncovered some urgent realities: 1. Heatwaves are turning deadly—143 deaths and over 41,000 cases of heatstroke were reported across India.? 2. Outdoor workers—construction, street vendors, delivery personnel—lose hours (and income) in extreme heat.?Nearly 50% of our country's GDP depends on heat-exposed sectors such as construction, mining, and agriculture, making it a critical economic issue.? 3. Mumbai is just too hot -- Concrete heavy cities create urban heat islands by trapping more heat than their surrounding areas.?? ? This isn’t just about higher temperatures—it’s about health, livelihoods, and the future of our cities. So, how do we adapt? We need to improve data collection and analysis on urban heat, smarter urban planning and design integrating green-blue infrastructure into our cities. We also need to build heat action plans (HAPs) that target vulnerable populations and fundamentally rethink how we can build our cities from the ground up, for better climate resilience.? ? Read our full report on 'How India Copes with Heat' for more information on how we can help India stay cool: https://lnkd.in/d_HnJpdZ #MumbaiHeatwave #UrbanResilience #ClimateAction

Startups are shaping the future of our cities—but how can they access the capital they need to scale? Private funding is flowing into early-stage ventures that are solving critical urban challenges. But what does it take to tap into this opportunity? How can young changemakers prove their solutions are sustainable, impactful, and scalable? In the third episode of the City Champions Podcast series, Shilpa Kumar (Partner, Omidyar Network India), Krishnan S. (Head of Strategy & Partnerships, Janaagraha), and Supriya Paul (Founder & CEO, Josh Talks) break down the funding landscape for urban startups and why their role is key in building inclusive, equitable cities. For those working on solutions that can redefine the future of urban development—this conversation is a must-watch. ?? Watch now, link in the comments below! #CityChampions #JoshTalks #FutureOfCities #UrbanSolutions #UCAN #SmartCities Urban Collective Action Network (U-CAN)

#PrajaGovernanceFellowship #Delhi Cohort 4 was inaugurated by Mahesh Kumar, Hon'ble Mayor of Municipal Corporation of Delhi.?In the keynote speech, he guided the fellows on importance of being responsible citizen, actively engaging in governance process and advised on navigating a career in politics. The Governance Fellows, over the next 8 months will build their understanding on urban governance, various powers and functions of the elected representatives through comprehensive fieldwork and encourage youth participation in democracy. Milind Mhaske Priyanka sharma Meghna Bandelwar Indurkar KUNALJIT BHATTA Pooja Verma Aviral Narayan Dubey Abhishek Gijare Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies

Between 1991 and 2011, Bengaluru’s population surged by 95%, while the city's developed land area grew by 170% from 1985 to 2015. In 2025, the city continues to expand exponentially, bringing both opportunities and challenges—especially in adapting to evolving mobility patterns. This year, Namma Raste returns for its second edition, expanding the conversation beyond streets to explore Bengaluru’s entire transport ecosystem amidst rapid expansion. How can we align economic aspirations with sustainable urban development? Let’s discuss! ? ?? Dates: February 20-22, 2025 ?? Venue: Dr. Rajkumar Glass House, BBMP Head Office, Hudson Circle, Bengaluru ??: 10 AM - 6 PM ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/dEeEU-Aj ? Join us to explore Bengaluru’s public transport expansion, multimodal connectivity, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure—and be part of shaping the city’s transport future. See you there! #NammaRaste2025 #NammaRaste #Bengaluru #Mobility

Our cities are mirrors of the decisions we make today—and climate change is one of the most urgent challenges we face. In the second episode of the City Champions Podcast series, Siddharth Pandit (CEO, U-CAN), Gautham Ravichander (Director, Policy & Advocacy, eGov Foundation) along with Supriya Paul (Founder and CEO, Josh Talks) discuss how we can reshape our cities to combat climate change. From using natural materials over steel and concrete to rethinking green spaces and walkability, these solutions are key to creating sustainable cities. ?? Watch now and get inspired, link in the comments below! #CityChampions #JoshTalks #FutureOfCities #UrbanSolutions #UCAN #SmartCities Urban Collective Action Network (U-CAN)

As India's cities grapple with vehicular pollution and traffic snarls, is incentivising public transport the way forward? Partha Mukhopadhyay (Senior Fellow, CPR) and Gurkirat Singh (Senior Research Associate, CPR) contributed a chapter titled 'Integrating Fares, Information' and Informal Transit' to Observer Research Foundation's December issue 'New Approaches for Integrated Multimodal Transport Systems' as part of their GP-ORF series. Read here: https://lnkd.in/gnqcGZrQ

At Shelter Associates, we believe in making a true impact and driving transformation. Our multi-pronged interventions in Gholai Nagar Slum in Thane are a testament to this commitment as we work towards improving hygiene and health in the community. Through our award-winning One Home, One Toilet model, we are facilitating the construction of individual home toilets, reducing open defecation, and addressing the issues caused by defunct community toilets. In addition, we are conducting workshops that empower slum women with knowledge on menstrual health and hygiene. We’re also encouraging the use of eco-friendly products, such as menstrual cups, to combat both environmental degradation and period poverty. Finally, we are promoting better health and hygiene behaviors, helping the community take proactive steps towards a healthier future. ?? It’s these efforts that create lasting change and empower communities to thrive. #Impact #Hygiene #Health #Sustainability #PeriodPoverty #Empowerment #CommunityDevelopment #MenstrualHealth #EcoFriendly #SocialImpact #SlumUpgrading #OneHomeOneToilet #HealthAndHygiene