Walkable streets for functionality, liveability and sustainability: a case of Vadodara.

Abstract

Walkable streets in any urban setting are the epitome of public realm for social, cultural and economic interactions. These not only enable face to face meaningful interactions, but also promote informal activities. Streets have culturally been the living room for the community where people have an innate association with different parts of a street – be it in form of informal markets or tea breaks during the long office days or celebration of many festivals that are part of Indian culture. However, with rapid urbanization resulting in increasing migratory patterns and number of private vehicle ownership, streets are losing their essence as a public place as authorities are adopting a vehicle centric approach in their design. Today streets, with their haphazard design are neither functional nor are they liveable. Furthermore, increased traffic and reduced walkability results in greater environmental damage, rendering streets unsustainable. 

Since aspects of functionality, liveability and sustainability of streets are interrelated and interdependent, this study explores the different factors, their inter-linkages and disparities as acknowledged through existing literature review and observation mapping through a pilot street stretch that evaluates the above mentioned aspects through content analysis of existing legislations and descriptive analysis of the interviews conducted. It is anticipated that the findings of the study will identify the dynamic nature of streets and initiate efforts towards effective planning and decision making for design of walkable streets towards more integrated functional, liveable and sustainable urban fabric.