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 …

Pitcher of disquiet

It’s not just glory, Kumbh also deluges holy city with filth

A hole in the ground

Urinals and toilets built for pilgrims have little to do with sanitation