Hello everyone,
Here’s a quick look at how Jana Urban Space Foundation is working towards more resilient, inclusive and sustainable cities through nature-based solutions and people-first street design.
Rethinking Pedestrian Spaces: Building Streets for People
Nithya Ramesh, Director – Planning and Design, Jana Urban Space Foundation, was a speaker at the International Conference “Rethinking Pedestrian Spaces for Cities of the Global South.”
She spoke about Jana Urban Space’s work on Tender SURE (Specifications for Urban Road Execution) and how streets can be designed as integrated public spaces that work for everyone.
The approach focuses on:
• Continuous footpaths and cycle tracks
• Safer intersections
• Organised underground utilities
• Inclusive infrastructure for all users
• Reducing repeated road digging through “Build Once, Build Right”
The goal is simple: build streets that are safer, more accessible, resilient and comfortable for people, while making urban infrastructure last longer.
Financing Nature-Based Solutions for Better Cities
How can Indian cities unlock more finance for Nature-based Solutions (NbS)?
On 6 August 2025, Diksha Jain, Senior Associate, Jana Urban Space Foundation, attended a closed-door Focus Group Discussion as part of the India Forum for Nature-based Solutions, alongside partners including WRI India, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), and Climate Policy Initiative (CPI).
The discussion brought together funders, project developers, government stakeholders and finance experts to explore innovative financing models for urban and peri-urban NbS.
The conversation focused on key barriers and opportunities around:
• Project preparation and bankability
• Risk and cost recovery
• Revenue generation
• Innovative financing models
• Opportunities to replicate and scale successful NbS projects
The discussion highlighted an important question for India’s cities:
How do we move from promising nature-based solutions to projects that can attract and sustain investment?