every Friday there is a fresh produce market

‘Urban gardens’ are a plethora of socio-cultural, historical and environmental learning, that allows varied observant assert the sense of ‘the right to the city’ or reclaim an ‘urban commons’. One such urban garden uniquely hanging upon a historical water reservoir on Malabar Hill has been a source of solace and wonder for all. Beautifully designed by Ulhas Ghapokar in 1881 and dedicated to Sir Pherozshah Mehta, it is narrated to have been built over one of Bombay’s main water reservoirs to protect it from getting polluted by the nearby towers of silence. The garden is a manifestaton of a positive energy welcoming diverse group of visitors who see their interests towards fostering ‘civic ecological sense’ and ‘social associations’ with the flora-fauna and history in the city. 

In Old Cairo, I went up one of the minarets that overlooks a narrow traditional commercial street that cuts through the hustle and bustle of the area. It was shortly past noon, and the sun projected the shadows of the minarets onto the rooftops of small informal houses. Upon seeing this, I came to realize the clash of tradition with contemporary methodologies in how our cities are shaped. We, products of contemporary products, do not see or buy or even comprehend genuineness any longer. We follow the national agenda of globalization. On the other hand, local inhabitants are the ones who resist the foreign market. Their resilience defines their identity. They create their own economy and city. Their spirit beautifies their simplicity.  

Winner of the third prize of the A-Place Mapping contest "Share your experience of places" 2021

Living in Tokyo, otherwise nicknames as a concrete jungle, it is a blessing to ba able to enjoy outoodr natural environments like this. This is just a short walk from my house and it is a special place that makes living in a megacity a great experience.