ITDP India

Promoting sustainable and equitable transportation worldwide

Citizens want safer streets and greener spaces for a better Coimbatore

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DB Road and NSR Road are two of busiest streets in Coimbatore, where one can often see pedestrians fighting for space with vehicles. But every Sunday morning, thanks to car-free days, such scenes are replaced with those of citizens walking, cycling and playing. Initiated in August 2015, car-free Sundays have not only provided a new form of public space for people to unwind, they have also  brought together various organisations working on improving Coimbatore and helped initiate dialogue on different issues in the city.

Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore (RAAC) is one such citizen organisation. Along with Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation, Coimbatore City Police and ITDP, RAAC was a founding partner of Namma Kovai Namakke (‘Our Coimbatore for Ourselves’), a campaign to create people-friendly streets in Coimbatore. In conversation with ITDP, R Raveendran, from RAAC, speaks about what residents want for Coimbatore. Responses have been translated from Tamil and have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Coimbatore has seen rapid growth in traffic over the past few years. What can the city do to address this concern?

The concept of traffic jams in Coimbatore was unheard of, even a few years ago. But of late, there are traffic jams that last an hour or more. In this context, project such as car-free Sundays and better streets for walking and cycling are timely interventions.

Giving importance to pedestrians is a novel idea in Coimbatore, and people support this idea. Before this, we didn’t know concepts like pedestrian movement and walkability. People ended up walking on busy streets, sharing space with vehicles. With car-free days, children can now play on the streets. Residents have realised the importance of walking as well.

Namma Kovai Namakke has been very well received in Coimbatore. Tell us more about what makes this campaign a success.

Streets become highly energetic on car-free Sundays, new friendships are being formed, and  the image of the city itself has been transformed. The cultural activities are a great hit, with many schools coming forward on their own to organise dance, drawing and other activities. Laughter clubs are popular with the older crowd. Walking and fitness activities are popular among all ages. For children who have forgotten or never experienced the idea of playing on the streets, car-free Sundays provide a place to kick a football and run around.

Within a short time, the city has expanded car-free Sundays from DB Road to NSR Road. How has the event been received in the second location? What makes this one different?

The event on NSR Road is also getting a lot of attention. With new activities like street magic, flash mobs and street music planned every week, people have something new to look forward to. Often, there are popular chief guests who come in. This also draws many people.

How have car-free Sundays helped in engaging people in the city-building process, in initiating a dialogue on different social issues in Coimbatore?

With car-free Sundays, residents now have a platform to talk about these issues. Many community  organisations meet during the car-free Sundays to discuss common problems. The message that people want better footpaths has come out strongly in the event. Even for other social issues like voter awareness or disability rights, the event has become a platform where different people can communicate with each other as well as with the government.

What kind of public space improvements do you look forward to in Coimbatore? What public transport improvements do residents want in the city?

Coimbatore has been selected for funding under the Smart City Mission, and we hope that better footpaths on all roads, with features like good lighting, will be a part of the project. Work to redevelop six roads with better footpaths has already been initiated by the municipal corporation, in collaboration with ITDP.

We look forward to redevelopment of the lakes and creation of cycling tracks. Cycling is becoming increasingly popular here and streets needs to be made safer for cyclists. Such projects are not too expensive and should be a part of the government budget and implemented quickly. To address traffic congestion, we hope that the city develops a mass transit system that will help reduce use of personal motor vehicles.

What other projects do you work on? How does Namma Kovai Namakke fit in with your overall vision for Coimbatore?

We work on many projects like source segregation of waste, increasing green cover, developing parks and improving roads. We conduct activities related to restoring forests and rivers, and improving the quality of life in the city. We want the city to develop in a positive way, and initiatives like Namma Kovai Namakke help the cause.

Car-free days are held every Sunday, from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., on DB Road, TV Swamy Road, as well as NSR Road in Coimbatore. All are welcome. For more information, log on to https://www.facebook.com/NammaKovaiNamakke.

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ITDP signs MoU with Thane to develop comprehensive transport solutions

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Thane is a fast growing city situated in the state of Maharashtra, adjacent to the city of Mumbai. As per the 2011 Census, the city had a population of about 1.8 million. Due to high cost of living in Mumbai, and presence of rail connectivity between the two cities, a large number of people reside in Thane and travel to Mumbai for work every day. As a result, Thane railway station is the focal point of most trips in the city, attracting a significant number of commuters who take buses, rickshaws or walk to access the station.

The city has grown rapidly over the last couple of decades. The west- and east-ward expansion of the city is constrained due to presence of natural features like hills and water bodies respectively, and the mega city of Mumbai itself lies on southwest of Thane.  This leaves mostly only the north and northwest areas available for further development. These areas are served by Ghodbunder Road, and the geographical constrains mean that most development is within 2 km from this arterial road. This road is therefore ideally suited to be a good model of transit-oriented development.

To address the transportation needs of these areas, ITDP was invited by the Thane Municipal Corporation to provide technical support to develop rapid transit in the region, along with better walking and cycling facilities. ITDP signed an MoU with the Thane Municipal Corporation on 2nd April 2016 to assist the city in these projects. In addition to improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in the city, ITDP will also carry out comprehensive assessments to understand existing situation and propose a holistic transport solution for the city.

ITDP and TMC sign an MoU to work towards comprehensive transport solutions for the city.

Thane Municipal Corporation and ITDP sign an MoU to develop comprehensive transport solutions for the city.

These sustainable transport projects, together with residential and commercial development in the region, can help transform Thane into a model of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in the future.

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Growth of Bus Rapid Transit in India

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The start of the BRT chapter in India can be traced to the announcement of the National Urban Transport Policy in 2006 by the Government of India. During this phase, the government received many applications for funding BRT projects.

The cities of Delhi and Pune were the first to start pilot BRT projects in the country, with plans for 257 km and 100 km networks respectively. But with only 5 km operational in Delhi and 15 km in Pune, both these systems were limited in scope and were heavily criticised for their poor quality of implementation.  Perceiving BRT merely as a modified bus lane meant that these pilots did not address the need for BRT-specific service plans, integration with existing bus operations. The need for supporting infrastructure and enforcement measures were also ignored.

Janmarg paves the way for a new phase of BRT in India

In 2009, a new phase of high quality, bus rapid transit systems in India started with the implementation of Janmarg in Ahmedabad. From its initial operational length of 12.5 km, the system was expanded to an 88 km network in 2014, providing connectivity across the city. The success of Janmarg inspired similar BRT efforts like Rajmarg (Rajkot) in 2012, iBus (Indore) in 2013 and Citilink (Surat) in 2014.

More recently, another successful BRT system–known as Rainbow BRT–was implemented in the twin cities of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. These cities, assisted by ITDP, carried out various studies to understand existing ridership, daily travel patterns, passenger transfers, and waiting times on potential corridors to create a service plan that optimized system operations. Based on findings from these surveys, the cities decided to create a hybrid system with BRT services operating on dedicated trunk line, and then extending in mixed traffic to outlying areas. The cities also worked on rationalizing the routes of the public bus service, to efficiently complement the BRT system.

Key features of BRT

Whether it is Janmarg or Rainbow, new BRT systems in India are characterized by better infrastructure design and administrative structures that ensure smooth operations. Median-aligned stations with level-boarding ensure the system is accessible to all users. Intersection designs that prioritise BRT buses also help in improving bus speeds. Better enforcement ensures that the BRT corridors are reserved exclusively for BRT buses. To cater to rising demand, many of these systems also have overtaking lanes at stations, to allow for express services.

Dedicated right of way for buses with median-aligned stations (left) and level boarding(right) are some of the physical characteristics of the new phase of BRT systems

Hybrid systems, such as the Rainbow BRT, feature high quality buses with doors on both sides, to cater  both to median-aligned stations within the dedicated BRT corridors, as well as left-aligned bus stops outside the dedicated corridor. Better buses, such as the Euro IV CNG buses used in Rainbow BRT, help minimise carbon footprint of these systems. All buses are fit with GPS that allows monitoring by the central control centres, ensuring reliable service.

Clean, well designed stations offer a comfortable means of travel for the commuters. Clear branding coupled with real time passenger information systems help commuters in perceiving these systems as a high quality transit options that are different from regular bus services.

All these features contribute to make BRT a reliable means of commute in Indian cities. Both Janmarg and Rainbow have touched daily ridership numbers of 150,000, and have encouraged mode shift from private transport to BRT.  In the case of Janmarg, studies indicate that 19% of private vehicle users have shifted to BRT. Rainbow BRT saw 8% of private vehicle users shift to BRT within 3 months of operations.

Cities are increasingly realising that they cannot increase road capacity by adding road space in the form of flyovers and elevated roads. With a focus on moving people rather than vehicles, cities are prioritizing sustainable mass rapid transport modes. This new paradigm, coupled with the realization that bus rapid transit systems can increase capacity at a lesser cost, makes the future of BRT in India undoubtedly bright.

This article is adapted from a webinar on ‘BRT in India’, presented by ITDP on 31 March, as part of the monthly webinar series hosted by The Across Latitudes and Cultures BRT Centre of Excellence. The presentation was followed by an interactive session where participants discussed various topics relating to fare collection, integration of BRT with other systems, data analysis etc. Watch the webinar below. 

For quick understanding of the key features of BRT, download ITDP’s BRT standard infographic or to delve through the details in the BRT standard guide book.

This infographic highlights the key features of BRT essential to any BRT system.

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Transport improvements to address women’s safety in Ranchi

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Like most Indian cities, Ranchi, the fast-urbanising capital of Jharkhand, is struggling to provide efficient transport solutions to its urban population. Despite a high share of non-motorised transport modes, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure are non-existent. Lack of formal public transport systems mean that much of the population is dependant on shared auto rickshaws for commuting in the city. While these problems affect all sections of society, lack of safe mobility options acutely affect women, often forcing them to rush home before dark, severely affecting their access to education, jobs and opportunities.

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Comparing modal shares for women with overall population in Ranchi reveals that commuting needs of women are significantly different from men.

A transport assessment led by ITDP last year, threw up some worrying facts. Almost 90 percent of women in Ranchi depend on walking or use semi-formal shared auto rickshaws to go to college or work. Even though almost all women surveyed said they felt unsafe in the share autos, only 1 percent said that they would consider switching to cycling. This is hardly surprising, considering 46 percent of women cyclists mentioned being teased on the roads and 59 percent were afraid of cycling down lonely roads. While this is not just a transportation issue, lack of reliable and affordable public transport, coupled with poor quality of streets and public spaces, only increase their exposure to these dangers.

ITDP presented these findings at a two-day workshop, ‘Building a strategic framework for women’s safety in Jharkhand’, organised in Ranchi on 17th and 18th February. The workshop, hosted by women’s rights organisation Jagori and supported by the Oak Foundation, brought together multiple civil society organisations from various sectors to discuss gender issues in Jharkhand.

Panelists from various organisations came together to discuss the issue of addressing women’s safety in Jharkhand.

Panelists from various organisations came together to discuss the issue of addressing women’s safety in Jharkhand.

The role of better public transport infrastructure in improving women’s safety was also reflected in the findings from women’s safety audits presented by Jagori. The audit, conducted as part of research on Women’s Safety in Public Spaces in Jharkhand, used a mobile app Safetipin to evaluate perception of safety in public spaces in two cities – Jharkhand and Hazaribagh. Using various parameters like lighting, openness, availability of transport and people density, the audit evaluated areas frequented by women and children such as bus stops, parks and marketplaces. Findings from the audit highlighted the need for well-lit streets and well-designed public spaces that provide ‘eyes on the street’. In addition, the audit also recommended the need to increase availability of public transport so as to provide comfortable and reliable services that can be used at all times of the day.

Creation of well-designed and well-lit public spaces around Ranchi’s extensive network of canals and waterways can offer transport solutions that also improve quality of life for all.

Both these studies indicate that good urban planning practices that provide better public transport facilities, improved street design with better lighting, creation of safe cycling environments can go a long way in furthering women’s access to public space. Improving public transport systems in Ranchi and creating better walking and cycling infrastructure, will not only provide affordable and sustainable transport options for all, but will also play a crucial role in empowering women by improving their access to opportunities.

Women now are claiming their right to urban spaces, to study work and lead a life free from any form of fear and sexual harassment, said Sunitha Dhar from Jagori. A collaborative effort from different organisations and stakeholders would be required to achieve this. “A core team including women’s groups should be set up to lead the process. Tribal dominated areas should also be integrated in the intervention plans,” said Reshma from AALI, a participant at the workshop.

Click here to download ITDP’s presentation on Transforming Ranchi. Complete findings from the transport assessment of Ranchi can be found in the report, Mobility for All.

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Coimbatore delegation visits Chennai: Understands best practices in street design

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As Coimbatore looks at developing 13 km of streets as ‘Model Roads’ in the city featuring high quality pedestrian environment, a team comprising officials from the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation along with empanelled architects visited Chennai for a detailed knowledge-sharing session with their peers from the Greater Chennai Corporation on 23 February.

The team, comprising of four engineers and ten architects from Coimbatore, visited various streets developed in Chennai as part of the ongoing Chennai Street Design project. ITDP facilitated the site visits and discussions with support from the Greater Chennai Corporation and local partner, Chennai City Connect Foundation.

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City officials from Chennai explained various site-specific details to the visiting engineers and architects.

Over the course of the day-long program, participants visited various streets in the city and noted key design features, such as continuous footpaths at property entrances, location of bus stops, and pedestrian crossings, all of which contribute to a safe walking environment. City engineers from Chennai showcased various construction details and stressed the need for contextual design solutions that accommodate existing utilities and landscape elements. Key implementation barriers like managing parking and street vending were also discussed.

These site visits were followed by a presentation by ITDP on best practices in street design. Mr. L. Nandakumar, Superintending Engineer (Roads, Works & Bridges), Greater Chennai Corporation, outlined the various processes adopted in Chennai to build public support for better streets. In addition, he also detailed out the construction and implementation challenges faced in Chennai and how these were resolved. Subsequent discussions saw active participation from the visiting delegation, who provided positive feedback on this program.

Learnings from these site visits and discussions will directly contribute to the street design processes underway in Coimbatore, where important streets like DB Road, TV Swamy Street, NSR Road, Sanganoor Road, Race Course Road and Masakalipalayam Road are to be redeveloped at an estimated cost Rs. 26 crore. 

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DB Road in Coimbatore (left) is proposed to be redeveloped into a pedestrian-friendly street with wide, continuous footpaths (right).

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Pune, Coimbatore and Chennai Selected as India’s ‘Smart Cities’

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Pune, Coimbatore and Chennai have been making huge progress creating sustainable cities. Each has made great strides in recent years, laying the groundwork for even bigger changes to come. Thanks to their demonstrated commitment to act, in addition to well-developed plans for next steps, all three have been selected for the first round of India’s national Smart Cities Mission.

Right now, experts predict that about 25-30 people are migrating every minute to major Indian cities from rural areas in search of better livelihood and better lifestyles. It is estimated that by 2050, Indian cities will house nearly 843 million people. This massive increase in population will put incredible pressure on India’s cities, requiring new infrastructure for transportation, energy, and safety. To address these imminent issues, the Government of India has allocated Rs 48,000 crore to create the Smart Cities Mission, a programme dedicated to helping cities invest in sustainable infrastructure and growth.

As part of the Smart Cities Mission, these three selected cities (see the full list here) have each proposed to invest over 600 Crore rupees in sustainable transport projects. By pegging this money to tangible, area-based improvements, these cities have a clear plan to transform over the next 5 years, bringing widespread socio-economic benefits to a large section of society. ITDP is proud to have partnered with Pune, Coimbatore, and Chennai to chart out their sustainable paths for the future.

ITDP has been working with these cities in different roles, providing technical support to projects, capacity building for officials, and  creating community engagement at various levels. In the twin cities of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, ITDP helped implement the Rainbow BRT, incorporating best practices in BRT planning and design. ITDP has been instrumental in helping Chennai adopt a Non-Motorized Transport Policy and overseeing its implementation through street design and engaging with citizens through initiatives like car-free Sundays. In Coimbatore, the Namma Kovai Namakke (Our Coimbatore Ourselves) campaign, initiated by ITDP, sparked citizen demand for better pedestrian facilities, all of which formed the groundwork for the Smart City proposals developed by these cities.

In the next 5 years, Pune aims to increase the mode share of public transport from 18 percent to 50 percent by augmenting its bus fleet and improving bus services using Intelligent Traffic Management Systems (ITMS). The city also aims to expand its high quality BRT network by 30 km and improve access to transit by creating 75 km network of footpaths and cycle tracks.

To facilitate easy interchange between Rainbow BRT and other buses, a transit hub is proposed at Anudh Baner Balewadi, Pune, along the lines of the Kiwale terminal pictured above.

In keeping with its NMT policy, Chennai aims to develop ‘Complete Streets’ and build footpaths to cover 80% of its major roads. A city-wide cycle sharing system with 3000 cycles and an IT-based parking management system are also expected to give a major thrust to walking and cycling while restricting private vehicle use.

Better NMT facilities are proposed in T. Nagar, a commercial and retail hub of Chennai.

Non-motorised transport is a key focus for Coimbatore as well, where the city aims to create NMT infrastructure along 75 percent of its primary and secondary road networks before 2020. A 30 km network of greenways connecting major lakes in the city is expected to improve quality of open space for its residents. The city also aims to increase mode share of public transport from 42 percent to 60 percent by modernising and expanding public bus services.

Congratulations to these cities, and all the selected Smart Cities, for the exciting work preparing India’s cities for a more sustainable, brighter future.

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Pune’s Budget Leaps Toward Sustainability

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Pune, a city of 3.5 million in western India, has been facing increasingly acute traffic congestion for the last several years. Growing population, wider sprawl and increasing income levels have poured two-wheelers and cars on Pune’s streets at a rate the city was not prepared for. Always finding itself in a reactive mode, the city tried to combat congestion with wider roads and flyovers, only to discover that the cars kept coming and the problems got worse. Despite Pune’s long history of loving the bicycle, investments that made using a car or a two wheeler easier always seemed to take precedence.

Then, in the 2016-17 budget, something happened. The city of Pune recently announced they plan to spend 50% of the transportation budget on BRT, footpaths and cycle tracks next year. This is a major leap for the city, and an example for Indian cities on how to prioritize sustainable transport of all kinds.

In earlier years, the city did spend some money improving bus stops, buying buses and building footpaths, but these projects were generally considered extra benefits for residents, rather than integral parts of the transportation infrastructure. While 20-25% went to improving footpaths and the bus service, the municipal budgets allocated a major portion of their transportation budget to benefit personal motor vehicles, and hardly anything was spent on bicycling facilities. In plans for next year’s budget, however, that number has doubled, thanks to the rising understanding and role of sustainable transportation in Pune.

In 2015, Pune got its first BRT corridor, “Rainbow”. The 8 km corridor is part of a planned 102 km  network that is under construction. The system had been planned for quite a while, until the Pune Commissioner Mr Kumar recognized its benefits and decided to give it the push it needed to finish construction. Today, 12% of Rainbow’s riders have switched from other modes to the bus. It is easy to see that extending the network will boost the modal shift further. This recognition of sustainable transport’s benefits has sparked a new era of focus on BRT, cycling and walking for Pune, and the budget is the next step.

Level-Boarding-Text

This recognition of sustainable transport’s benefits has sparked a new era of focus on BRT, cycling and walking for Pune, and the budget is the next step.

For 2016-17, Mr. Kumar realized that promoting public transport, walking and cycling is the best way to improve transportation in Pune. After many discussions with ITDP, his proposed budget allocates more resources to these modes than ever. The budget includes funds for a further 30 km of Rainbow BRT.  Cycle tracks and modern footpaths are planned along the upcoming 14 km Nagar Road BRT corridor, which will make it the longest corridor in the country to support BRT with good pedestrian and cycling facilities. Mr. Kumar has allocated funds for another 70 km footpaths in other parts of Pune as well.

The funding will support the city’s impressive new plans and policies. Pune is working on a new pedestrian policy, a parking policy that aims to charge for parking spaces and use the revenue for facilities for sustainable modes, and a bicycle plan to increase the mode share of cycling in the city. In addition, Mr. Kumar is initiating reforms like establishing an Urban Transport Fund (UTF), funded by revenues from road tax, road trenching fees, and parking fees, and will be used for sustainable transportation projects.

With such a significant leap in the Commissioner’s budget for 2016-17, all are optimistic that Pune will not only be on a strong course for sustainability, but will also provide a role model and inspiration to other cities in the state and the country.

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Chennai Celebrates Walking at the Sustainia Award Ceremony

Safe and wide footpaths in Chennai

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For the past several years, the city of Chennai has been taking bold, rational, and consistent steps towards a sustainable future. New footpaths are making walking more accessible for city residents. The Corporation introduced new capacity building programs for municipal engineers. A new Car Free Sunday initiative is engaging more residents to explore their city on foot. And the progressive non-motorised transport policy adopted by the city, which allocates 60% of transport funding for non-motorized transport, has inspired many national and international cities to adopt similar policies.

For this comprehensive approach to improving sustainable transport, the Corporation of Chennai has been recognized with the 2015 Sustainia Award, presented by the Danish think tank, Sustainia. The Sustainia Awards identify innovative and demonstrated sustainable solutions from across the world. Chennai’s Street Design Project was selected as the best solution of 2015 for transforming Chennai from a car-centric to a people-friendly city and addressing safety concerns and air pollution in one go.

The award was originally presented on December 6th at the Paris Climate Conference, and was received by ITDP CEO Clayton Lane on behalf of the city. Chennai officials were unable to attend the event, as they were responding to torrential rains that hit Chennai in early December 2015. ITDP has been one of the principal partners on the project. On January 23rd, the Corporation of Chennai, ITDP, the Chennai City Connect, and numerous partners came together to celebrate the success of the project.

“The city has set a new example in the country by prioritising people over cars with the adoption of the non-motorized transport policy,” said Saidai Duraisamy, the proud Mayor of Chennai, as he received the award from Clayton Lane.

(Left) The Mayor of Chennai receiving the award from Clayton Lane (Right) Clayton Lane receiving the Sustania award on behalf of Chennai at the Paris award ceremony.

These new policies are necessary to combat the decline in walking and cycling in the city in recent years. “The mode share of vehicles and two wheelers have rapidly increased. Although this is a sign of economic development, it is also a matter of concern due to the rising level of pollution and road accidents. We need to work towards becoming a safer, healthier city,” stated Vikram Kapur, former Commissioner of Chennai, during whose term many projects promoting non-motorised transport were initiated.

The heightened risk of air pollution was further stressed by B Chandra Mohan, Commissioner of Chennai, who added that pollution is a problem that can wait no longer. To this end, Clayton Lane emphasized the major impact sustainable transport can have, citing ITDP research showing how “a considerable switch to walking and cycling can reduce these emissions in half.”

The speakers highlighted that the street design process needs to be balanced and include the needs of all stakeholders who are an integral part of the cityscape.

Everyone needs to come together to build a walkable Chennai, and the event brought together people who contributed to the cause in various ways—architects who assisted the city in street design, community agencies, academic institutions, media partners and the traffic police—who were felicitated at the event.

While Chennai has taken the first steps towards developing a people centric city, the next challenge will be addressing the encroachment onto footpaths by parked vehicles, and the stakeholders gathered for the Sustania Award celebration took some time to discuss best practices in parking regulation and management. “Parking is like a magnet that attracts more cars. Providing more parking is not the solution to tackle this problem,” asserted Shreya Gadepalli, Regional Director, ITDP India, as she presented some of the myths associated with on-street and off-street parking along with progressive solutions.

The panel discussion saw active participation from Kavitha Selvaraj, C.R.Narayana Rao architects; Rajesh Gurumurthy from JLL India; Dr. Sumanthran, executive committee member of Chennai City Connect; Vikram Kapur; and Clayton Lane; who all agreed on the importance of enforcing and regulating parking.

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1 parking space occupies the same space as an affordable housing unit. What should we prioritize, parking or people?

Spurred on by the successes of the non-motorized transport movement, progress on new issues looks hopeful. With strong political will and a collaborative effort from different stakeholders and policy makers, Chennai looks all set to walk into a sustainable future.

Presentation on Parking Basics 

More pictures  of the Sustania event

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InFocus: Building climate resilience through transport

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ITDP brings you news from around the world about sustainable transport and urban development. The past year was interesting, specially in India. Chennai’s NMT transformation, to Delhi’s odd-even car-restriction scheme, to Burdwan’s car-free days, change was in the air!

The Conference of Parties summit – popularly called COP21- held in Paris last December, saw the nations committing to maintain an increase in the world’s temperature at less than 1.5 degrees Celsius. To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, ‘If we don’t hang together, assuredly, we shall hang separately”.

Transport accounts for a staggering 23 percent of energy-related CO2 emissions. There is NO WAY we can redress the situation without changing the way we travel.  A large-scale, planned movement towards non-motorised, and public, transportation seems the only practicable way out. Let us see what Indian cities have been trying out, lately :

[Read more…]

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Coimbatore’s car-free Sundays spark demand for better pedestrian facilities

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Over the last four months, as more than one lakh citizens have stepped into the streets on car-free Sundays transforming the city’s thoroughfares into vibrant public spaces, Coimbatore residents have started strongly calling for better pedestrian facilities in the city. The dramatic success of Coimbatore’s car-free Sundays has proved that there is demand for pedestrian infrastructure, and has encouraged civic authorities to begin implementing more permanent changes on ground. As a first step, the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) has begun—redesigning and construction of city’s main roads with wider footpaths. In addition, the city plans to expand the car-free event to other areas such as Race Course Road.

Coimbatore’s car-free Sunday has been a huge success, and is bringing the city national attention. The comprehensive effort by CCMC was recently honored with the Best Project Award, Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) category, by India’s National Ministry of Urban Development. The national award was received by CCMC Commissioner K Vijayakarthikeyan at the Eighth Urban Mobility India Conference and Expo, 2015 held at New Delhi. Of the 40 cities that sent in entries, Coimbatore emerged the winner, recognizing both the success of the program and it’s potential to be replicated in cities across India

For decades, transport planning in India has focused on improving conditions for private vehicles at the expense of safe footpaths and cycling facilities. However, in most Indian cities at least a third of all daily trips are made by foot or cycle. In Coimbatore, rapid urbanisation is placing increasingly high pressure on the existing infrastructure. Until recently, the response to these pressures has been to widen roads and propose more flyovers, while the welfare of pedestrians and cyclists was often overlooked.

Fortunately, the success of car-free Sunday is transforming this paradigm. By creating a new platform for citizens to assert their right over the city’s public spaces, the program is sparking interest in better footpaths and safer streets. The initiative, which brought together other partners including Coimbatore City Police, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, the Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore (RAAC) and the Times of India, helped generate the political backing for a comprehensive programme of pedestrian improvements.

Recently, the Coimbatore Council approved redesigning 13 km of streets in the city with wide and continuous footpaths. Gathering architects for the design of these streets is already in progress, and ITDP India will continue to play a role in the process. The Corporation is also creating a network of greenways along the city’s water bodies. Work is in progress on walkways along Perur Lake, while the edges of Ukkadam-Valan Kulam lake are being cleaned and beautified. Besides the construction of new footpaths, the Corporation has also set a goal of building raised pedestrian crossings outside 80 schools and redesigning two intersections for improved safety by August 2016.

(Left) Existing and (Right) Proposed pedestrian facilities on DB Road, Coimbatore

Car-free Sundays in Coimbatore reclaim only 2km of streets from traffic. However, even this modest beginning has made citizens realise the joy of walking on their streets and empowering them to voice their demand for better pedestrian facilities. With national leaders taking notice and local leaders taking action, Coimbatore’s non motorised future now looks promising. The vision of reclaiming the city for its people—Namma Kovai Namakke—is becoming a reality.

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