Bimal Patel is a renowned architect, urbanist, and former president of CEPT University who joins us for the latest episode of The Century of Cities. He takes us through India's economic and urban evolution, from the stagnation of the 1980s to the liberalization of the 1990s, when cities started to be recognized as essential engines of economic growth. Bimal discusses India's unique suburban morphology of its cities and the urgent need for governance reforms that empower cities to manage their development. Looking ahead to 2080, he envisions cities as engineered ecosystems akin to spacecraft, self-sustaining, efficient, and capable of meeting the demands of dense urban populations. Bimal shares how India can reimagine its urban future while balancing economic growth, sustainable development, and livability for all.
