Creating Cities Of, By, and For the People
Transforming quality of life in India’s cities and towns requires transforming the systems that plan, govern, and resource them. Janaagraha strengthens the city-systems of Planning and Design, Decentralised Participatory Governance, and State Capacities to create cities that deliver prosperity, equity, and opportunity for all.
01
Planning and Design
Cities in India are governed as collections of sectors rather than as integrated places — agencies operate independently, planning is fragmented, and design rarely serves diverse needs. We develop place-based governance models, spatial planning instruments spanning regional to neighbourhood scales, and design standards that make roads and public spaces work for everyone.
02
Decentralised Participatory Governance
Urban local governments were envisioned as institutions of self-government. In practice, however, devolution of funds, functions, and functionaries remains incomplete, ward-level participation platforms are rare, and councillor leadership is largely assumed rather than institutionally enabled.
We work to advance devolution through evidence-based reform, institutionalise citizen participation through ward committees and civic education, and build councillor capability through structured competency development.
03
State Capacities
A city’s financial and human resource capacities determine its ability to govern and serve citizens effectively. We strengthen municipal finance through resource augmentation, grant design improvements, and fiscal transparency and accountability reforms. We bolster municipal staffing through reform and competency-based human resource frameworks. Together, these enable cities to plan, execute, and sustain services.
Collaborations
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike
Odisha Government
Solapur Municipal Corporation
Election commission of India
Corporation of the City of Panaji
Government of Maharashtra
Haryana Public Service Commission
Greater Vishakapatnam Municipal Corporation
Finance Commission of India
Government of Tamilnadu
Reall Company, UK
Government of Chattisgad
Coimbatore Municipal Corporation
Brown university
Mangaluru City Corporation
Municipal Corporation of Faridabad
Municipal Corporation of Gurugram
Nagara Palika Nigam Raipur
Directorate of Municipal Administration of Tamilnadu
Karnataka Ward Samiti Balaga
Collaborative Action for Collective Good
Access Resources
Facilitate change at the neighbourhood level.
Partner
Channel efforts and resources towards shared goals.
Join
Become a part of the Janaagraha movement.