Are our Cities Looking the Same?

A budding urban industrial area; Photo: Sanchita C

Mad traffic rush that has grown rapidly in a city once known for its trees and gardens but subsequently caught by surprise at this rapid development, car stickers and banners proudly proclaiming their support for Anna Hazare and sprawling malls and new buildings – could be any Indian city or town in the present time.

In fact, I was driving around (rather being driven around) in an SUV in Bangalore last week. While I was listening to my friend listing out the problems the city - rather citizens of the city - are facing, it struck me I could be in any city in India. The problems would be similar, so could be the look and feel of the place.

Can you tell the city?; Photo: Sanchita C

many such buildings come up every year; Photo: Sanchita C

As if urban deities (are there any?) have decided that Indian cities shall grow in harmony in the 21^st century (albeit haphazardly) - for good or bad. Honestly I can’t say any longer whether I like any city more than another because characteristic distinctions between the cities of India  seem to be vanishing rapidly.

Or are they? Well culturally yes (my very personal view of course) but not necessarily politically (different cities have specific political mindsets) or economically (some cities have more of certain industries or economic activities than the others, some are more prosperous).

Bangalore 'skyline'; Photo: Sanchita C 

After Bangalore, I was in Kolkata and after that Delhi. By the end of the journey, I was even more convinced differences are evaporating – people dress up the same way, speak a kind of urban Indian lingo (same words, same expressions), buildings have similar architecture etc. I have not decided yet whether it is for good or bad. Do we really want a highly harmonised society in all respects?

What do you think?