Building Amaravati : between western urban dreams and Indian realities

Abstract

Quoted and announced as the “people’s capital” of Andhra Pradesh, India, the newly planned Amaravati is envisioned to be a world-class city which would increase the prominence of the state in the world. Since India’s independence, politicians and planners have been creating alien spaces with the desire to create a modern image only to confront the ground realities of people’s lived spaces. Amaravati is no different. This study examines this potential flaw, I.e., the grand visions of urban development not meeting local people’s aspirations. In result, inspiring the planners to acknowledge these spaces in the system that meets citizen’s aspirations and their own lived spaces within it.