Page 38 - TT Magazine Aug-Sep 2018

MOBILITY

Clearly, Pune is set
to be on the right
side of history in
terms of sustainable

urban planning.
And the city’s work
on sustainability in
urban mobility has

already paved the
way for other Indian
cities to take heed to.

“Streets are important public spaces network. The first phase of construction people to sit and enjoy the urban life of
that should be designed to respond has begun in JM Road, a busy 1.5 Pune,” said Sujata Hingorani, of Oasis
to the various functions that they km-long street. So far, a 300-meter Designs, whose company is behind the
host, beyond being mere conduits stretch along this street now sports a retrofitting carried out at JM Road.
for vehicles. Thus, Pune Municipal cycle track and a much wider footpath, “I could have never imagined taking
Corporation embarked on the Pune made possible by streamlining the old a walk on this road earlier,” said a
Streets program to make Pune one of haphazard parking. Better signage and local resident using the path, adding
the pioneering few Indian cities in this street lighting are other features that that “Nowadays, I spend most of my
field,” Kumar said. collectively make JM Road a stellar evenings after work here, enjoying this
Under this program, a street network example of street design in the country. active street. The chaos is no more; I
of 100 kilometers has been identified “The design now celebrates the newly can now walk and shop to my heart’s
for redesign. Thinking ahead to ensure created public realm, giving people fill!”
integration and quality, the city, with clear and buffered walking and cycling These dedicated efforts toward
ITDP India’s assistance, empaneled four tracks. It also incorporates outdoor improving the quality of urban life for
nationally acclaimed design firms and seating areas for people to have a quick its citizens resulted in several accolades
allocated each 25 kilometers from the lunch, play areas for kids, and seats for for Pune, including its selection in the
Smart City Mission programme. As
part of the proposal, 27 km of streets
have been identified for redesign as
Complete Streets in the Area-Based
Development (ABD) scheme. And this
work has also been assigned to the
empanelled designers.
People over vehicles, a
smart policy

One of the key objectives of the
Smart Cities mission is to engage the
community in the urban renewal process
at all stages. One such important event
in Pune was the seven-day trial run
of the proposed pedestrian plaza in

38 August-September ’18 / TrafficInfraTech www.trafficinfratech-com-500653.hostingersite.com