Comments for

Comment on Green-Washing Mumbai: Part 1 by Bernd Gundermann

Bernd Gundermann — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:22:20 +0000

Hi Lubaina,

Great article!

Seeing Mumbai in its peninsular exposition to the sea, I wonder if there are any measures taken into account to combine a soft response to sea-level rise with greening the city. I recently conducted a seminar at the School of Architecture at Auckland University, where we tired to increase resilience, enrich maritime estuaries and improve accessibility of the shore. You can see the results in our booklet Adaptive Urbanism here: http://stephensonturner.com/uploads/misc/AdaptiveUrbanismBooklet_web.pdf
We are working on the implementation of soft response option with New Zealand’s scientists and authorities.Given the scale of problems in Mumbai, it could open a new opportunity to come from the protective angle in order to get more traction in greening Mumbai.

Bernd

Comment on Questions of perspective: research as nation-building by Rio real

Rio real — Thu, 31 May 2012 21:14:11 +0000

This is a great question to be thinking about and you have done much to explore it. Congratulations! As an American who’s lived here for three decades and in different social circles during that time, I will add that the optimism comes largely from having experienced times so much worse than now. I am increasingly shocked at just how primitive the actions of the state were in Rio (and in Brazil as a whole) until the political alignment of 2007 began to open the door to more accountability, transparency and professionalism. (See my last post for more on this) Locals also fear losing the ground that has been gained by being overly critical. The outside researchers and “radicals” et al have key roles to play however, in constantly reminding us jaded insiders how much ground is yet to be covered. A comment from a young founder of Meu Rio sticks in my mind: “Everyone keeps telling me how much better things are now than they used to be. But I wasn’t alive (or aware ) in the old days. I only know how I want things to be”.

Comment on Questions of perspective by Questions of perspective: research as nation building «

Questions of perspective: research as nation building « — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:44:34 +0000

[...] about framework and positionality when researching or working in Rio de Janeiro’s favels. The introductory post presented a conflict between community-activists from different NGOs and a Brazilian researcher [...]

Comment on Green-Washing Mumbai: Part 1 by Lubaina Rangwala

Lubaina Rangwala — Tue, 29 May 2012 05:45:01 +0000

Hi Nam,
Thanks!
Yes, you totally missed the exhib at NGMA, but if you’re lucky you might still catch it at the Nehru Science Center–P.K. was given an extension by some state officials who were ecstatic when they saw the exhibition. It has now entered the political realm quite seriously.
I was hoping you would add to this conversation with your experiences from the Juhu public spaces project and Juhu Moragaon. In fact the second half of my post will try and touch upon some related questions and dilemmas. It will be interesting to build this thread together.
He didn’t manage the ducks so he decided to bring flamingos into the city! (with boardwalks and promenades at Sewri)

Look forward to your thoughts!

Comment on Green-Washing Mumbai: Part 1 by Namrata Kapoor

Namrata Kapoor — Sun, 27 May 2012 21:31:33 +0000

Hey Lubi,
I wish I was there to see the exhibition, it looks really interesting and I think I will write a followup on the Juhu public space project and add to your second post. I dont think this is a segue away from the idea of informality narrative on our blog. It is infact highlighting the very space that allows for the presence of the informal in our richest neighborhoods. Where else would Hema Malini’s bai live

That nullah picture reminds me of Paul who came to our studio in the first year and told us provocatively “If this was Amsterdam we would have ducks swimming in the nullah” !!!! You forgot the ducks PK!
Nam

Comment on Urban Informal Expressions I: Guerrilla Gardening by Andrew Carman

Andrew Carman — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:24:38 +0000

Cool, post. About 10 years ago in São Paulo I saw a homestead with some small livestock and vegetable garden under a viaduct. Really inspiring, I wanted to meet the farmers and I’ve often thought I should to write a poem or something about it. If you haven’t yet read the book “Farm CIty” by Novella Carpenter, I’m sure you would love it. It’s about her experience as a squat farmer in Oakland, California.

Comment on For “Bankability” (Part 2) by For “Bankability” (Part 3) «

For “Bankability” (Part 3) « — Tue, 22 May 2012 05:59:40 +0000

[...] Continued from Part 1 and Part 2 [...]

Comment on For “Bankability” (Part 1) by For “Bankability” (Part 3) «

For “Bankability” (Part 3) « — Tue, 22 May 2012 05:59:37 +0000

[...] from Part 1 and Part [...]

Comment on The Thrift of Sambinha: Catadores and Waste Mitigation by Waste Picker News, May 19 2012 | Inclusive Cities

Waste Picker News, May 19 2012 | Inclusive Cities — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:06:40 +0000

[...] “The Thrift of Sambinha: Catadores and Waste Mitigation.” FAVELissues by Andrew Carman. Even with the spread of municipal recycling programs, solid waste [...]

Comment on Edges, Patches, and Street Vendors by Formal vs. Informal Does it mean anything? «

Formal vs. Informal Does it mean anything? « — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:44:23 +0000

[...] related with poverty and developing countries. The high class settlements South East Caracas and the street vendors in LA are only two examples of these [...]