Mylapore the cultural epicenter of Chennai — stands at a crossroad. Once celebrated for its temple architecture, traditional homes, and serene charm, the neighborhood now struggles under the weight of unplanned urbanization.
Its fight for public space and heritage preservation directly echoes the global call of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11): Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
🌳 The Squeeze on Green: A Breathless City
SDG Target 11.7 emphasizes universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green spaces. Yet in Mylapore, this vision is fading fast.
🏗️ Concrete Over Green
Driven by surging real estate demand, traditional homes with open courtyards are rapidly being replaced by high-density apartment blocks.
This vertical growth comes at a cost — vanishing trees, reduced airflow, and the intensification of the urban heat island effect that makes the area hotter and less livable.
🚯 Neglected Public Space
The few remaining open areas — notably the historic Temple Tanks — suffer from congestion, pollution, and neglect.
Poor management prevents them from serving their dual purpose as community hubs and ecological recharge zones. What should be spaces of reflection and recreation have turned into missed opportunities for sustainable urban living.
🏛️ The Vanishing Past: A Crisis in Heritage Management
A vital component of SDG Target 11.4 is the protection of cultural and natural heritage. But Mylapore’s unique identity — built over centuries — is steadily being erased.
🏚️ Demolition Over Policy
Heritage homes, especially the vernacular Agraharams, are disappearing.
Without protective regulations or financial incentives, many owners are forced to sell to developers, leading to irreversible cultural loss.
🚗 Chaos in the Core
Even the sacred precinct around the Kapaleeshwarar Temple faces unregulated commercialization and traffic chaos.
The once tranquil Mada Streets — rich with history — now resemble a crowded bazaar, their spiritual and architectural essence lost amid visual clutter and congestion.
🌱 A Call for Sustainable Urbanism
Saving Mylapore requires a shift from short-term profit to long-term sustainability — a vision rooted in SDG 11.
⚖️ Enact Strong Policies
Implement strict zoning laws to protect both green spaces and heritage architecture.
Provide incentives for the maintenance and adaptive reuse of private heritage properties.
💧 Restore Ecology
Invest in nature-based solutions to revive temple tanks and enhance biodiversity.
Convert underused plots into small, accessible neighborhood parks for community well-being.
🌆 Preserving the Soul of Mylapore
Mylapore is not just a neighborhood — it’s a living museum of Chennai’s cultural memory.
If we fail to protect its ecology and heritage, we risk losing not only its past but also its potential for a sustainable future.
To build a better city, we must ensure that Mylapore’s future is not constructed at the expense of its past — fulfilling the true vision of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
~ Dia Gayatri
