Governance

Over the last few months, several jobs related to the rejuvenation of Allalasandra Lake have progressed. Yelahanka United Environment Association (YUVA), the association that has been working closely with the BBMP for this lake has had multiple meetings with Government officials and BWSSB for stoppage of sewage entering  the lake through storm water drains. The short term solution in place is a huge sand bund to stop sewage entering the lake. For the long term, BWSSB has agreed to provide a mini Sewage Treatment Plant for which the DPR work is going on. Pics courtesy Jagadeesh, YUVA The horticulture and pathway…

Over the last few months, several jobs related to the rejuvenation of Allalasandra Lake have progressed. Yelahanka United Environment Association (YUVA), the association that has been working closely with the BBMP for this lake has had multiple meetings with Government officials and BWSSB for stoppage of sewage entering  the lake through storm water drains. The short term solution in place is a huge sand bund to stop sewage entering the lake. For the long term, BWSSB has agreed to provide a mini Sewage Treatment Plant for which the DPR work is going on. Pics courtesy Jagadeesh, YUVA The horticulture and pathway…

As a part of the lake awareness campaign, a tour of Jakkur Lake has been organised by the Narasipura Lake team. All are welcome. Date: Sunday 29th June 2014 Time: 7:15am (at Jakkur lake near STP gate) (http://wikimapia.org/4129931/Jakkur-Lake-Paradise-for-Birds )  Water expert Mr Vishwanath will help you understand lake rejuvenation and its effect on biodiversity. Please make your own arrangements to reach Jakkur Lake. Those going from Vidyaranyapura and Doddabommasandra can meet at 6:30am near Venkateshwara Temple, IEHCS Layout to plan car/bike pooling and proceed to Jakkur Lake. Some guidelines1. Carry your own water & light snacks, avoid plastic as there are no bins by the…

As a part of the lake awareness campaign, a tour of Jakkur Lake has been organised by the Narasipura Lake team. All are welcome. Date: Sunday 29th June 2014 Time: 7:15am (at Jakkur lake near STP gate) (http://wikimapia.org/4129931/Jakkur-Lake-Paradise-for-Birds )  Water expert Mr Vishwanath will help you understand lake rejuvenation and its effect on biodiversity. Please make your own arrangements to reach Jakkur Lake. Those going from Vidyaranyapura and Doddabommasandra can meet at 6:30am near Venkateshwara Temple, IEHCS Layout to plan car/bike pooling and proceed to Jakkur Lake. Some guidelines1. Carry your own water & light snacks, avoid plastic as there are no bins by the…

This is a series of photographs that documents the visual evidence of territoriality at the morning flower market in Bangalore. Within this periodic marketplace, a metal fence appears repeatedly at various locations demarcating vehicular and pedestrian zones. The flower vendors seem to use the yellow fence to both mark and defend their territory. The fence is randomly positioned - sometimes to place flower garlands and sometimes to create small enclosures within the large expanse of this urban space.  The boundaries are both physical and non-physical drawn both by the vendors as they sell flowers and by the public as they…

This is a series of photographs that documents the visual evidence of territoriality at the morning flower market in Bangalore. Within this periodic marketplace, a metal fence appears repeatedly at various locations demarcating vehicular and pedestrian zones. The flower vendors seem to use the yellow fence to both mark and defend their territory. The fence is randomly positioned - sometimes to place flower garlands and sometimes to create small enclosures within the large expanse of this urban space.  The boundaries are both physical and non-physical drawn both by the vendors as they sell flowers and by the public as they…

Placemaking is an approach to the design and management of public spaces that draws upon the strengths and aspirations of the local community. Whereas ‘space’ is a physical entity, a ‘place’ is imbued with memories and evolves as people interact with each other socially and culturally in the public realm. It is a term that Architects and Urban Planners in the western countries began to use in the 1970s to describe the process of creating parks, plazas and streets that could attract people. In India, the street was already a vibrant place with a family celebrating a wedding; the temple deities…

Placemaking is an approach to the design and management of public spaces that draws upon the strengths and aspirations of the local community. Whereas ‘space’ is a physical entity, a ‘place’ is imbued with memories and evolves as people interact with each other socially and culturally in the public realm. It is a term that Architects and Urban Planners in the western countries began to use in the 1970s to describe the process of creating parks, plazas and streets that could attract people. In India, the street was already a vibrant place with a family celebrating a wedding; the temple deities…

Property tax rates are very low. Yes, I said low  I know it is not a popular thing to say, but it's the truth. In Bangalore, we pay about 0.06 per cent of the value of a residential property in annual taxes, slightly more in some cases. In Seattle, just to pick a random point of comparison, the tax rate is between 0.8 and 1.1 per cent per year. That's 14 to 19 times higher. Council tax in the UK is in the same range, maybe even higher. There's an old saying that if you pay less (peanuts) you'll get…

Property tax rates are very low. Yes, I said low  I know it is not a popular thing to say, but it's the truth. In Bangalore, we pay about 0.06 per cent of the value of a residential property in annual taxes, slightly more in some cases. In Seattle, just to pick a random point of comparison, the tax rate is between 0.8 and 1.1 per cent per year. That's 14 to 19 times higher. Council tax in the UK is in the same range, maybe even higher. There's an old saying that if you pay less (peanuts) you'll get…