Class,Sustainability and Activism: Examining Socio-economic Dimensions of Urban Green Movements in Bengaluru,India

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between socio-economic class and participation in urban environmental activism in Bengaluru, India. It explores how different social and economic groups engage with environmental movements, the barriers they face and the extent to which class privilege influences sustainability efforts. The study analyses key drivers and constraints in environmental participation using a mixed-method approach, including interviews and discussions with activists, NGOs and resident welfare associations (RWAs). The findings reveal that middle-class groups play a dominant role in shaping environmental governance, leveraging institutional networks and legal frameworks, while marginalised communities often face barriers to participation despite their direct dependence on urban ecological resources. The study highlights the need for inclusive and equitable approaches to urban sustainability, ensuring broader representation in environmental decision-making. By situating Bengaluru’s urban environmental activism within wider discussions on class and environmental governance in India, this research provides critical insights into the intersection of social stratification, activism and sustainability policies in rapidly urbanising cities.