Introducing our Northeast Correspondent Urmi Buragohain!
In January 2022 we launched the Global Walkability Correspondents Network, as a way to build solidarity among walkability advocates around the world and continue to create media on sustainable mobility and urbanism.
We are happy to welcome Urmi as Correspondent of Northeast India to our growing network of individuals who are passionate walkability advocates.
As the rate of urbanization has sped up in the past decades, India’s cities have not been able to keep pace. Uneven distribution of wealth makes this very visible in the public realm which is a neglected aspect of development. Although the number of pedestrians is high, it’s due to compulsion not choice. I am keen to change this narrative in my region of origin which is northeast India.
-Urmi Buragohain
WHO
I was born and educated in India. After graduating in Architecture, I pursued post-graduation in Urban and Regional Planning. I migrated to Australia in 2003 and worked in the local government sector for over a decade. I also worked briefly for the Planning Ministry in Qatar.
It was during the course of my career in Australia that I got involved in projects relating to placemaking and water. This gave me a unique perspective in being able to bridge the gap between long-term policy and short-term actions.
On my return to India a few years back, I registered a not-for-profit, PlaceMaking Foundation to help materialize my intent of co-creating healthier and more dignified spaces. I also do for-profit consulting work, perform volunteering and advocacy roles and have co-founded a water-tech startup.
WHERE
I am an Australian citizen of Indian origin. Currently, I reside in India and split my time between Imphal, Kolkata and Guwahati (my hometown). As the rate of urbanization has sped up in the past decades, India’s cities have not been able to keep pace. Uneven distribution of wealth makes this very visible in the public realm which is a neglected aspect of development. Although the number of pedestrians is high, it’s due to compulsion not choice. I am keen to change this narrative in my region of origin which is northeast India.
WHY WALKABILITY
I am passionate about the health benefits of walkable cities. This is particularly pertinent for a country like India where the rates of lifestyle diseases and obesity are soaring. I am interested in knowledge sharing through collaboration, networking and making some meaningful contributions towards promoting walkability.
Urmi Buragohain is an urbanist, a water champion and nowadays, an accidental serial entrepreneur. After having worked for over 15 years spanning Australia, South Asia and the Middle East with significant experience in public, private and not-for-profit sectors, Urmi moved back to India to pursue her vision of giving back and making a difference in her region of origin through practical interventions in the public realm.
Read Urmi’s content here
Learn more about the Global Walkability Correspondents Network here