Why ‘Walkability’ in India miserably fails..
When was the last time you walked uninterrupted, comfortably, with the sense of safety and security for a kilometre, on any Indian street? In parks, yes. In areas where motorised vehicles cannot enter or are not allowed to enter, yes. But, on streets where the road is majorly dominated by high speed moving vehicles?
There are a very few streets in India, which score well on Walkability. Ironically, according to a census report, a major population of India walks to work. A considerable percentage of population in India cannot even afford public transport, so they walk. Further, walking has its benefits, not only limited to health, but even economic benefits. But then, why walkability in India fails so miserably?
- It’s (actually) not the priority for the government.
While every Master Plan, Zonal Plan and Transport Plan has an emphasis on creating pedestrian friendly environment and cities, nothing much happens on the ground actually. Even if there are footpaths and walkways, these are either poorly planned, ill maintained or encroached by shopkeepers, or by vehicles. See two images from Kalkaji, Delhi, below:
2. Walkability is often confused with ‘the ability to walk’.
Being able to commute between Point A and point B on foot, doesn’t necessarily constitute walkability. Walkability is much more than just an ability to commute between two points on foot. It asks for few other parameters, like, comfort, sense of safety and security and a great experiential quality. But, lets start with the very basics, a proper infrastructure, in terms of wide, maintained, segregated and shaded footpaths. Rest can follow.
For example, the lady in the picture below is using the carriageway for walking, inspite of footpath being present. Why does this happen?
The reasons are simple,
a. The footpath is inaccessible to disabled and elderly people.
b. Footpath is not maintained and can cause accidents.
c. There are obstructions on the footpath, in form of trees, lamp posts and vendors.
Is it difficult to fix this for authorities and government? I guess, no. But, it won’t happen unless there is a strong will to do it. And, that’s what is missing.
3. Streets are not design for walkability
It is very important that there is minimum conflict of motorised vehicles with the pedestrian movement. Segregation, by means of level change, planters and dividers ensures that walkways are safe for walking. In addition, elements like vendors, street furniture, lamp posts further ensure sense of security among pedestrians, but this should be carefully done to ensure that these do not obstruct pedestrian routes.
Image below shows the installation of utility box right at the footpath junction, which would force pedestrians to use the carriageway, and this discourages walkability.
4. The meaning of ‘Growth’ and ‘Development’ is misunderstood
If you ask any politician, planning authority or even a layman for that matter, the meaning of ‘Development’ and ‘Growth’, most of them would refer to flyovers, high rise buildings, IT parks, malls and such examples. Transit Oriented Development is comparatively a new word to layman, which ideally should be taking care of all modes of transport, including pedestrians, but, one would notice the same also is limited to Master Plans and Zonal Plans. Development shall be inclusive and shall not be only about making certain class of people happy, as it appears to be happening through out the country.
Is walkability difficult to achieve? Obviously no. There are some great examples of Walkability in India. My favourite is Park Street Kolkata. Video below.
Below, are two pictures, of a good example of walkable streets. The street is in Delhi, near School of Planning and Architecture.
I hope, someday making streets walkable will be a same priority as creating flyovers and wider roads.
