Urban Development

In a world increasingly challenged by depleting resources, worsening climatic variations, increasing economic disparity, unemployment, persistent hunger, poverty and heightening social discord, the disparity between growth and development has become glaring. There is an increasing pressure on countries to carry out fundamental economic transformations to secure a sustainable future.

Governance and Civic Issues

Considering that an open dialogue is imperative in ensuring good governance, Ramaanya Foundation partners with organisations to support activities that promote citizen-inclusive platforms. This improves the quality of urban infrastructure and the role played by residents in actively engaging with the local decision-making bodies to enhance their quality of life.

Public Awareness

Voters need information about their constituencies, including details of the problems and issues faced in the areas they live in. The fact that this information can be accessed is unknown to most citizens. Awareness of access to this information can, therefore, go a long way in simplifying people’s lives and evoking participation from them.

The Ramaanya Foundation has been supporting organisations that work towards creating platforms and technologies that facilitate awareness, communication and interaction between citizens and their elected representatives.

Seven of the world’s most densely populated cities are located in India. The urban growth of cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore has been continuing, unchecked and unplanned with under-investment in infrastructure for far too long. In a recent report by McKinsey, it has been highlighted that India needs to invest at least $1.2 trillion in its urban infrastructure over the next two decades.

India currently invests only $17 per capita, which, when compared to other countries, is extremely low. While improving the quality of urban infrastructure is important, a more pressing issue is enriching the quality of citizenship – the role played by urban residents in influencing local civic bodies and in the local decision-making process, leading to a higher quality of civic life.