Full Coverage: Cities

25.04.2008 The answer to growing traffic and pollution in the Indian capital lies in an effective and massive public transport system, says the Centre for Science and Environment. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, recently implemented in south Delhi, provides the option for an economically sound and better bus system.

14.03.2008 Lack of employment opportunities and the fear of starvation in rural areas in the wake of last year’s cyclone are forcing Bangladeshis to throng cities in search of livelihood. Most do menial jobs as loaders, and rickshaw pullers, earning barely enough to save their families from hunger back home.

11.03.2008 WASHINGTON, Mar 11 (OneWorld) - Air quality concerns in Beijing have prompted the world's record holder in the marathon to pull out of the premiere long-distance running event at this year's Olympic Games.

27.02.2008 The latest UN projections say that by the end of 2008, half of the world’s 6.7 billion people will live in cities. All three factors: natural increase, migration and reclassification of rural localities to urban centres will contribute to this increase. Most of the future urbanisation will happen in Asia and Africa.

25.02.2008 On a recent visit to Mumbai, transport economist Stuart Cole spoke on options for improving India’s ailing urban transport system. A city and its traffic provide the best answers for effective management, which can be single-mode focused or a mix of bus, train and tube on different routes, recommends Cole.

04.02.2008 With global urban population expecting to rise to over five billion by 2025, there is a need to evolve sustainable urbanisation processes, says architect Dr. Nizamuddin Ahmed. In his vivid description of the city of Dhaka, he speaks of using architecture beyond the purely commercial to create better living environments.

31.01.2008 Want to solve real-life water problems of today? Delhi based Centre for Science and Environment’s short course on the theory, practice and policies of urban rainwater harvesting for working professionals offers expert advice and hands-on lessons in planning and designing systems. Register now for the March 17-21 course.

29.01.2008 Street names and buildings in India once linked people to their local culture, geography and livelihoods. To deal with this loss of identity and regain the richness of its architectural landscape, India needs to research and document traditional houses in villages and old towns, writes architectural consultant Kiran Keswani.

18.01.2008 NEW YORK, Jan 18 (OneWorld) - London and Paris were given a prestigious award this week for their innovative citywide programs to improve public transit and reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.

15.01.2008 A study conducted in Pune, a city in western Indian state of Maharashtra, shows that most of the waste-picking is carried out by children. Those who should be spending their time playing and attending schools are forced by circumstances to take up a hazardous profession at a tender age.

18.12.2007 Indian capital New Delhi is busy transforming itself into a modern city before the Commonwealth Games to be held in 2010. In the process, Delhi’s poor are being uprooted and left alone to fend for themselves.

13.12.2007 The poor of Karachi in the Sindh province of Pakistan face evictions from the main city. They are being thrown out on the outskirts to make way for global capital and emerging middle class.

16.11.2007 Learn how cities can do more with better management of water waste that gets generated everyday. Delhi based Centre of Science and Environment is conducting a course on waste water management from January 14-17, 2008 at its New Delhi premises. Registrations are now open.

07.11.2007 The latest analysis from Delhi based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) warns of critical levels of air pollution in the capital. The exponential growth of private vehicles, particularly diesel ones, has defeated the gains from its earlier CNG drive when diesel buses in the city were phased out to check pollution.

31.10.2007 The Asian Development Bank’s urban development programme in Indian state of Rajasthan will improve the living conditions of 1.6 million urbanites. Better quality of drinking water, public health, sewerage, drainage and solid waste management systems are expected from the project.

22.10.2007 Thousands are migrating to Bangladesh’s largest city, Dhaka, on a daily basis having lost earlier means of survival at their rural homes. Heavy rains and floods have impacted over 10 million people in Bangladesh.

11.10.2007 October 10 marks one year since the Child Labour Act banned children from working as domestic servants. Yet millions of children continue to work in domestic and hazardous occupations and are vulnerable to abuse. Save The Children has called for concerted campaigns to save these lost childhoods.

08.10.2007 Girls living in slums who have to walk miles to fetch water for their families often miss school in India. Bangalore based NGO Association for Volunteer Action and Services (AVAS) has shown how slums with access to water can lead to a good attendance rate among girl students.

05.10.2007 Damages due to pollution are costing billions of rupees annually to the national exchequer in Pakistan, claims a recent study by the World Bank. Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has expressed concern over the harmful rise in urban air particulate.

05.10.2007 UN HABITAT's 2007 report on global human settlements says the poor in developing countries not only bear the brunt of crime and violence, but also of natural and man-made disasters. Enhancing Urban Safety and Security is the first in-depth study on safety and security issues facing urban dwellers, especially the urban poor.