Urban Research Centre is a registered society, a non-profit organization founded with a Vision - 'Socially relevant research to contribute to a responsible civil society and responsive governance in the urban areas of India' Between 1998-2004, the work on urban governance by TIDE, in small and medium towns across Karnataka generated various methods and tools in participatory urban governance (with
stakeholders such as citizens, school children, schools, citizen associations, CBOs, NGOs, Councilors,..). Initially, a study of 7 cities (in 1998), and field intervention in Mangalore and Udupi towns (1999-2004) became the starting point for URC. URC continued its work in Mangalore and Udupi since then. URC carried out a study of 5 cities in Karnataka about women participation in Municipal governance, which resulted initiating capacity building programme in 2007. URC facilitated citizens' advocacy efforts in the ADB funded urban infrastructure development projects in Karnataka (since 2001 onwards..). URC has worked with select schools in Mangalore and Udupi during 2003-2004 to involve school children in municipal governance. URC-Commit to Partnership (Dresden, Germany) carried out a four year (2007-2010) inter-cultural youth exchange programme in Mangalore and Udupi that carried out a school programme. URC is part of Karnataka Social Watch process as a facilitator. Presently, URC is focusing on Women Municipal Councilors trainings; Karnataka Social Watch.
