In this episode, I speak with architect and urban planner Dr. Mukta Naik about why Indian cities feel increasingly difficult to live in, and whether they can actually be fixed.❤️ Support the PodcastThis podcast is supported by listeners, not brands.If you enjoy these conversations, consider supporting the work.YouTube Membershiphttps://www.youtube.com/@TheCultureCafebyAMV-re8hs/joinPatreonhttps://www.patreon.com/anuragminusvermaBuy Me a Coffeehttps://buymeacoffee.com/AnuragminusRazorpayhttps://pages.razorpay.com/pl_NM7M52cur24w7k/view---🎙️ HostAnurag Minus Vermahttps://www.instagram.com/anuragminusverma👥 GuestsDr. Mukta Naikhttps://substack.com/@muktanaikTwitter: https://x.com/MuktaNaik ---📚 My Bookhttps://amzn.in/d/00Gwspou✍️ The Culture Cafehttps://theculturecafe.inCP video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVM0EO4NgR4&t=136s0:00 Introduction1:30 Why Gurgaon Is an Urban Disaster8:42 The Myth of the Private City10:45 Why Urban Anger Does Not Become Politics13:43 How Cars Took Over Indian Cities15:43 Why Indian Cities Have No Footpaths18:42 The Failure of Urban Governance22:18 Encroachment and the Politics of Demolition24:00 How Gurgaon Houses Its Workers26:40 Encroachment by the Elite28:05 Real Estate and the City’s Reputation29:55 Dead Malls and the 15-Minute City32:42 Why People Abandon Smaller Cities34:25 How Caste Shapes Urban Opportunity38:50 Why Cities Need Genuine Public Spaces42:05 Connaught Place and the Possibility of Urban Life45:50 Policing, Safety and Public Space47:55 How Broken Transport Pushes Women Out of Work50:18 Why the Urban Crisis Is Political52:08 Can Indian Cities Still Be Fixed?54:10 What Citizens Can Actually Do55:08 Closing Remarks