Nithya Raman: From Chennai Civic Planner to Los Angeles Mayor

Times of India · politics

Nithya Raman, who is now Los Angeles's first Indian-origin mayor, previously worked in Chennai, India, as an urban planner. Around fifteen years ago, she collaborated with residents in south Chennai suburbs to address civic issues like traffic congestion. Raman founded Transparent Chennai, a civic initiative focused on using data and community input to improve urban governance. Her work involved mapping traffic problems, collecting data on public transport, and evaluating public toilets. This experience in Chennai significantly shaped her approach to urban planning and public service.