Architect and urbanologist; Programme Manager, Sustainable Cities Programme, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi, India
Counting north India’s stubble fires: Stronger data science needed to study winter smog
Severe smog in north India is a result of an evil alignment of many factors. Whether those factors co-conspire this year, remains to be seen
Counting north India’s stubble fires: How do NASA satellites capture them
Overall, it is safe to assume that even if satellite images do not show a fire, it does not necessarily mean that nothing is burning on the ground
India needs an energy disclosure policy
BEE needs to revisit, revive, and expand its star rating system for all designated consumers, especially buildings. It can’t be kept …
COVID-19: What about housing for poor?
Union government’s housing scheme tragets derailed; low-income house buyers face increasingly volatile financial markets
COVID-19 flattens peak-hour pollution
The flat rates of peak-hour pollution due to the lockdown proves why strong action is needed to reduce traffic volumes and cut tailpipe emissions …
Will Delhi become a gas chamber again?
The national capital has been in the ‘severe’ AQI category since Diwali night
Overflowing pitcher of disquiet
It is high time to start investing and investigating ecological cost of holding the Kumbh
Yes, Delhi Metro is more unaffordable than the New York City Subway
My own experience shows that the Delhi Metro pinches the minimum survival expense of a well-off Delhite at least twice as hard as the NYC subway …
Don’t get dazzled by these stars
Bureau of Energy Efficiency has just updated star rating standards for refrigerators and ACs, but the Indian rating system, especially for ACs, …
The fault in our stars
ISEER, the new system of rating and labeling ACs that began this year, seems designed to serve industry interest rather than consumer or climate …
Murky science of comfort part 5: Here’s how being mindful is good for the environment
We cannot wish away air-conditioning in today’s world, but we can be reasonable in choosing where, when and how to resort to the energy guzzlers
Murky science of comfort part 4: If you are poor, then simply tolerate heat
This is the expectation of the National Building Code, which defines standards for ‘comfortable’ temperatures for buildings in India
Murky science of comfort part 3: Industry defined standards make us feel uncomfortable without ACs
The Heat, Ventilation and Air Conditioning industry has made sure that we get used to heating and cooling appliances by setting arbitrary …
Murky science of comfort part 2: Why we feel suffocated in a building even when it is pleasant outside
Humans are built to get used to local environments but unfortunately industry interests have come to define what ‘comfortable’ room …
Murky science of comfort part 1: Debunking science behind 'comfortable' temperature
What is a comfortable temperature? The question seems benign on the surface but the answer has far reaching ecological consequences
Jostling for jhuggi land
The Shakur Basti eviction drive calls for a thorough review of the railways’ mandate, politics of urban land and housing of urban poor
Slums and the story of India's housing crisis
The rate at which informal housing is being destroyed probably far exceeds the rate at which formal housing is being constructed
Will Delhi air poison Obama on Republic Day?
Please wear a dust mask at the parade Mr President, for our sake at least
Unsteady buildings
Frequency of building collapses a big concern. Authorities are trying to fix the mess by introducing newer complications
Urban development agenda 2015
So far, smart cities have been all talks and no action. Will 2015 be any different? A quick account of what Narendra Modi needs to fix to make …
Structural safety: preparing for the big one
Implementing seismic codes while constructing buildings will help save several lives in our earthquake-prone cities
Digital imbalance!
The NDA government needs to balance its vision vis-a-vis digitising India
I cycle and I don’t need your sympathy
I take offence to those snotty looks from you on the road as if my vehicle is not legit
Why AAP’s subsidies mean increased cost of living for me
Rich house owners, the urban minority, will benefit from AAP's power and water subsidies and they will certainly not pass on this benefit to the …
Your air-conditioner can't keep you safe from Delhi’s noxious air
Indoor air quality is directly dependent on quality of outdoor air. It's time the aam aadmi came out on the streets to clean up not just …