"We shape our public spaces, thereafter, our public spaces shape us." - Winston Churchill.
Winston Churchill statement long a go is today more focused than ever before on the human dimension in city planning and the need for quality in the public realm of our cities. Cities all over the world are rediscovering their public spaces and a general awareness has been awakened regarding the need for dignified, high quality city environments for people. People are invited to repossess their cities and restrictions are being made to reduce parking, vending and traffic in central city areas in order to make room for more people oriented activities.
Two opposite directions in city planning can presently be identified. In some cities walking and public life are disappearing, emphasizing that life is becoming more and more privatized. In other cities public life is carefully supported by the introduction of good pedestrian environments in order to supplement the private life spheres with a well functioning public domain offering a wide range of attractive public activities. The fact that people in all parts of the world respond eagerly and enthusiastically to these new opportunities for walking and participating in public life in public spaces, indicates that walking environments and other types of public spaces where people can meet are important assets in present day society (possibly even more so than 20,30 or 50 years ago). In a world being steadily privatized public spaces are gaining in importance.
Public space is one of the vital component of modern urban planning, because access to these spaces have becoming more and more conflicting in nature. The rich believe public space is for their vehicle parking, for the poor it is economic opportunity or livelihood and for a common man enjoy nature. Perhaps the last one enjoying the nature through public space is vital but over the year most of cities urban planning left these without touching, The result our cities are choked with parking, vending, garbage and a paradise of criminals. But improving these public space for the common man is certainly a necessity in Quality of Living Standards.
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| Picture taken in Stockholm, Sweden |
According to UN-HABITAT (2008), “improvement in transport and communication infrastructure not only contributes to the growth of cities especially in the developing world, but it can also help promote balanced urban and regional development”. Increasing evidence has shown that compact urban form, well-planned and proper land use pattern, organized informal vending and well defined pedestrian paths help reduce the negative environmental impacts of urbanization and make cities more sustainable. It is a common sense to all development professionals that access to public space should be integrated to enhance inclusiveness and welfare of the urban population. However, there is a lack of consensus about how this integration could be implemented.
During the last few decades, urban areas in India have witnessed significant population increase and economic development. The region is expected to continue with its high rates of GDP growth to achieve significant economic growth to create employment, alleviate poverty, make resources available for infrastructure, increase access to basic amenities and also led to increased demand for better access to public space. A city on the east of India is reinventing itself by organizing public spaces for better access to pedestrians.
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| Picture taken in Bhubaneswar, India |
Bhubaneswar, located on the east coast is one of the fastest growing cities of India. Bhubaneswar is the Capital of Orissa state in India, popularly known as the “temple city” of India. The city was planned by Otto H. Königsberger in 1948 for a area of 16.48 sqkm with a population of 40000 is now covers an area 135 Sq km with more than million population. Bhubaneswar, located on the east coast is one of the fastest growing cities of India. Bhubaneswar is the Capital of Orissa state in India, popularly known as the “temple city” of India. The city was planned by Otto H. Königsberger in 1948 for a area of 16.48 sqkm with a population of 40000 is now covers an area 135 Sq km with more than million population.
In past the city had tried various options to keep public space free from ugly posters, unauthorized wall-posters and urinals etc. However, the results were not very sound. Very often visitors found it’s strange to imagine a city of heritage importance have all such nuisance in its street walls.But gone are those days most of these spaces are now history with restoration of public spaces from street vendors. After organised form of vending zones these spaces are now used for pedestrian paths or greenery. Today these pedestrian paths were transformed into living heritage with paintings reflecting ancient history, heritage, culture and tradition of Orissa. These street painting sites have become an important destination for tourists of the city and it also acts as an instant tourist guide or pedestrian paradise.
How many city do realizes the statement of Winston Churchill today will perhaps reflect in our future !
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