Archive · 10 Jan 2026
Indian Citizens Reclaim Cities Through DIY Urbanism
In India, regular people are taking it upon themselves to make their cities cleaner and greener.
Groups like The Ugly Indian in Bengaluru fix broken and dirty spots without waiting for permission.
In Gurugram, IAmGurgaon has turned a barren mining site into a beautiful forest.
In Lucknow, GoForGomti is cleaning the Gomti river and teaching others to be kinder to the environment.
Even a foreigner named Lazar Jankovic is helping by cleaning streets and encouraging others to do the same.
These people believe that small actions can make a big difference, and they are proving it by making their cities better places to live.
They don't wait for the government or big organizations; they just start working and inspire others to join them.
The Ugly Indian (TUI) in Bengaluru has been anonymously cleaning and beautifying neglected spots for 15 years, focusing on behavioral psychology to encourage civic responsibility.
IAmGurgaon (IAG) transformed a barren mining site in Gurugram into the 380-acre Aravalli Biodiversity Park, which now hosts over 300 native plant species and 201 bird species.
GoForGomti, started in Lucknow in 2023, has been cleaning the Gomti river and promoting eco-friendly practices like Bhoomi Visarjan, an alternative to idol immersion during Ganesh Chaturthi.
Lazar Jankovic, a Serbian yoga instructor, launched 4CleanIndia in 2024 to promote cleanliness in India through social media and the Ek Din Ek Gully challenge.
These citizen-led initiatives share a common goal of reclaiming and improving urban spaces through volunteer efforts, without waiting for government action or permission.
- Who
- Citizen groups and individuals across India, including The Ugly Indian (TUI), IAmGurgaon (IAG), GoForGomti, and Lazar Jankovic.
- What
- DIY urbanism initiatives focused on cleaning, greening, and reclaiming cities through volunteer efforts.
- When
- These initiatives have been ongoing for various durations, with some starting as early as 2009 and others as recent as 2023.
- Where
- Cities across India, including Bengaluru, Gurugram, Lucknow, and Delhi.
- Why
- To address civic issues, promote environmental sustainability, and foster a sense of responsibility and community among citizens.
- The Ugly Indian (TUI)
- Anonymous volunteer collective in Bengaluru, cleaning and beautifying neglected spots since 2010.
- IAmGurgaon (IAG)
- Citizen group in Gurugram transforming degraded land into green sanctuaries, founded in 2009.
- GoForGomti
- Lucknow-based initiative cleaning the Gomti river and promoting eco-friendly practices, started in 2023.
- Lazar Jankovic
- Serbian yoga instructor and cleaner, launched 4CleanIndia in 2024 to promote cleanliness in India.
- Aravalli Biodiversity Park
- 380-acre forest in Gurugram with over 300 native plant species and 201 bird species.
- Project UFO
- Series of underpasses in Bengaluru transformed with bold geometric murals by TUI.
- Bhoomi Visarjan
- Eco-friendly alternative to idol immersion during Ganesh Chaturthi, promoted by GoForGomti.
- Ek Din Ek Gully
- Independence Day 2025 challenge by Lazar Jankovic to clean one street per day.