Design or Disaster? An Ethnographic Study of Bangalore’s Gandhi Bazaar Road
Co author: Aditi Bathija, Sharvani K B
Introduction
Located in the center of Bengaluru, Gandhi bazaar (Flower Market) has survived as an active social and market hub. It comprises of heavy traffic on daily basis, peaks observed during festivities.
The market has a blend of local street vendors, commercial complexes and renowned eateries attracting diverse audience. Hence it is a rich cultural hub to investigate. An ethnographic study offers a compelling opportunity to delve into these interactions.
People of the bazaar
Vendors at Gandhi Bazaar set up their stalls with fresh flowers, spices, and pooja items. Many come from families that have been in this trade for generations, passing down their skills and knowledge. The bazaar is a vibrant blend of tradition and modernity, where every individual contributes to its ever-evolving story, bridging the past and present in a way that keeps the marketplace both timeless and contemporary.
A day in the life of a vendor at Gandhi Baazar
The street vendors at Gandhi Bazaar are the heart and soul of the marketplace. Many have worked in the same stalls for generations, offering fresh flowers, spices, and pooja items. Their day begins early and ends late, with a steady flow of customers providing the lifeblood of their business.
Unspoken rules
Many vendors have family-run stalls passed down through generations, and new vendors are generally not allowed. There are no formal agreements or locks for stalls; vendors simply cover their goods with a blue sheet at the end of the day. This trust-based system, along with mutual respect among vendors, ensures the smooth functioning of the marketplace, maintaining its cultural integrity.
In 2021, The Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and BBMP appointed the design consultant MayaPraxis
MayaPraxis envisioned a redesign to transform Gandhi Bazaar into a vibrant, inclusive space. The plan aimed to enhance accessibility, safety, and environmental sustainability while making the area financially viable. The goal was to create a flexible, gender-sensitive, and future-ready market that would be comfortable for all, integrating green spaces and modern infrastructure while maintaining its social and cultural essence.
MayaPraxis’s Vision for Gandhi Bazaar Redesign
MayaPraxis, the design consultant for the Gandhi Bazaar project, aimed to:
- Encourage walking and gathering for social interaction and enhancing business opportunities
- Minimise vehicular traffic to create pollution free and safe environment for people.
- Link to activity generators, major landmarks and public amenities and institutions.
- Connect existing retail and vending activity areas.
- Make access safe and conventient by providing alternate modes of transport including bicycles and electric vehicles.
- Provide access to two-wheeler and car parking at walkable distances from shopping and work areas.
Public Reaction to the Redesign
The redesign of Gandhi Bazaar has received mixed reactions. Despite research, many locals, including vendors and residents, expressed dissatisfaction, feeling that the changes ignored their needs. Protests and a general sense of disconnection reflect the community’s resistance, with many feeling the redesign disrupted the market’s vibrant, organic atmosphere.
The Unseen Impact
While the design intended to promote pedestrian interaction, the result was often the opposite. The new layout inadvertently created spaces for waste accumulation and hindered the natural flow of people through the bazaar. What was supposed to be a vibrant, inclusive space for social interaction ended up becoming a less accessible and more congested environment.
In short, no, people did not use the design as intended
Conclusion
While design can achieve practical goals, it is not always enough to preserve the soul of a community. The redesign of Gandhi Bazaar, intended to modernize and beautify, has led to a drop in foot traffic, struggling vendors, and a loss of the vibrant atmosphere that once defined the market. The changes, though efficient, disrupted the social fabric and accessibility, highlighting the importance of balancing modernity with tradition.
We wonder if it is only a matter of time till the age old culture here is taken over by modernization?
Behind the scenes
What we learnt?
How different social and cultural aspects play a role. A community or area like this is like a web of stakeholders where even with a small change, the ripples are seen throughout. Only when a change like this is brought up and a study is done we uncover all the unseen aspects of the day to day activities.