“The city is a product of a state of war between political and economic forces that shape and re-shape the urban landscape.” – Mike Davis ¹

Cities are often perceived as consequences of planning, geography and economy. We perpetually criticise our cities, in search of more inclusive spaces, but rarely do we acknowledge the powerful role of ‘political ideologies’ in shaping them. To substantiate this statement, we will take two contrasting cities – Kolkata (an old metropolis politically rooted in communist values) and Bengaluru (an emerging metropolis driven by neo-liberal growth), to depict how political worldviews manifest in the urban fabric.

The CPI(M)’s (Communist Party of India-Marxism-Leninism) thirty-two-year rule in Bengal created lasting impacts on the city’s core ideologies. A few of the positive core beliefs which people of Kolkata grew into were ‘sensitivity towards class issues’, ‘preaching for equality’, and ‘active civic participation’. On the other hand, Bengaluru’s neo-liberal transformation started with Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s address to the Bangalore Literary Union in 1953, where he said:

“What makes Americans long-lived, progressive and prosperous”, he continued, “is the planned, disciplined lives they lead. Our activities on the other hand are unplanned, and our behaviour unplanned and inactive.” ²

This comparative statement, along with his appeal to the citizens to see themselves as ‘stockholders of the city corporation’ ³ in every municipal engagement, sowed the seeds of the present neo-liberal growth of Bengaluru, inspired by the West.

The Left Front in Kolkata actively resisted the privatisation of urban land, enabling the survival of expansive green spaces like the Maidan, accessible at all times. Its porous edges were a result of ‘proletarian power’, dismantling boundaries and ensuring equal spaces for all. 

In contrast, Bengaluru experienced a surge of rapid, unregulated urbanisation, unlike Kolkata’s slow-paced growth. To manage this, the city adopted quick fixes which included – gated parks, walled/fenced green spaces and controlled access points with regulated timings and activities.

Left Photo Credit: S. K. Dinesh Lalbagh’s Boundary Wall- Non-porous and greenery unseen to the public

Right Photo Credit: Google Earth

Urbanisation brings unique challenges for the city’s residents. In response, residents engage, express, and reclaim space to shape and survive the city. Thus, protest becomes a huge outlet for people in voicing and asserting their rights. Protest needs to be witnessed so that every citizen can comprehend and hold hands in the process of justice. 

The strong Marxist-Leninist influence is the sole reason why protest is inscribed into Kolkata’s urban fabric. Protest and dissent is viewed as a ‘civic responsibility’.The R.G Kar Protest stands as a testament to this city-wide procession for women’s rights, driven not by propaganda but by a shared sense of justice.

On the other hand, Bengaluru’s Town Hall, once home to powerful public gatherings echoing with resistance songs, has moved towards restraining dissent. After the city-wide protest of Anganwadi Workers and Devanhalli Farmers ⁴, the Bengaluru Police Commissioner issued an order strictly containing all protests at Freedom Park, in a designated parking lot far from the public sight. Outside this zone, protest is classified as ‘civil disobedience’, drawing swift police response. Shaped by the priorities of neo-liberal governance, a city once with a vibrant political voice now struggles with a silenced public sphere.

Left Photo Credit: Bhanu S Citizens of Bengaluru protesting against confining protests to Freedom Park

Right Photo Credit: The Hindu R.G Kar ‘Reclaim the Night’ city-wide protests for women’s safety and rights

Though a riverine city, Kolkata never initially prioritised greenery due to its early urbanisation. Instead, its communist egalitarianism helped make the old streets the citizens’ ‘third space’ ⁵. Every space available in the exterior capable of holding people (footpath, steps of an old house, underneath a flyover, etc) becomes a place of social exchange. In Correa’s words:

“They have raised disintegration to the level of high art.” ⁶

The larger question which currently arises is: To what extent can you romanticise the past? This is the dilemma Kolkata is facing in shaping its public spaces for future generations. Spaces once celebrated require thoughtful revival.

In contrast, Bengaluru has been the ‘City of Lakes’ adorned with greenery, formed by encompassing two hundred villages, whose reminiscence is still present in its place names ending with ‘halli’ (village in Kannada, eg., Marathahalli, Baiyyapanahalli, etc). The rapid shift from a low-rise settlement to a high-density urban sprawl, along with the diminishing greens and lakes, makes the future of free public spaces extremely uncertain.

Left Photo Credit: X/@sahana_srik Bizarre restrictions in Public Parks of Bengaluru

Right Photo Credit: Sanat Kr Sinha Hawkers occupy the entire stretch of the footpath – no pedestrian pathways in College Street, Kolkata

A shift in political ideology exposes huge vulnerabilities in its civic spaces. The ongoing tension of the Left versus Right creates a state of duality with disjointed experiences in the city of Kolkata. Whereas, unchecked rapid neo-liberal expansion is eroding equity in Bengaluru’s public spaces.

Thus, the design of our cities cannot remain apolitical. Political indulgences are necessary to create rooted spaces which are inclusive, honouring the past, responding to the present, and accommodating the future of our cities.

– Written by Anwesha Saha, Research Fellow

Footnotes:

1. Davis, Mike. City of Quartz. 1990. ↩︎
2. Nair, Janaki. The Promise of the Metropolis. 2005. Pg-14 ↩︎
3. Nair, Janaki. The Promise of the Metropolis. 2005. Pg-14 ↩︎
4. Bangalore Mirror:
   https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/karnataka-anganwadi-workers-demand-wage-hike-and-job-recognition-amid-protests/articleshow/118227037.cms
   
   The Hindu:
   https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/leave-us-and-our-land-alone-why-devanahalli-farmers-have-been-protesting-for-over-1180-days-against-karnataka-government/article69743773.ece ↩︎
5. Homi K. Bhaba ↩︎
6. Correa, Charles. The Times of India. Oh Calcutta. Bombay, 1975. ↩︎