Revitalizing Public Realm, and Integrating Sustainable Practices Lead to Healthy and Livable Cities

Abstract

Informality, poor infrastructure, inadequate planning, and poor governance are threatening Indian cities, which are primary engines of economic growth, are subjected to socio- environmental degradation. Sustained physical and social downward slide has made urban public open spaces source of crime, insecurity, and misconduct leading spaces to less personal and more disappearing with time. To prevent the further deterioration in the urban environmental quality, corrective urban transformation strategies and measures are required to be formulated. India’s Smart City Mission mainly focus on enhancing socio-economic and environmental conditions through integration of robust physical infrastructure, appropriate technology, and participatory governance. However, the ground reality indicates more focus is being made on strengthening existing ill planned basic physical infrastructure and undue technological integration with no regard to the public realm - pedestrian walkways, streetscapes, pavements, and street crossings, public squares, and open spaces. Well-developed urban Public Realm, and Place Making concept would not only enhance quality of life and urban environment but also reduce public travel, energy, carbon footprint, safety, and security, while enhancing the image of the city. Urban authorities and policy makers must realize that unless making public realm as an integral part of city development, providing healthy environment; accommodating urban citizens in a prosperous, equitable, and just manner, seem to be an impossible endeavor. Curitiba, Brazil, and Copenhagen, Denmark have demonstrated that city can be made healthier and more enjoyable through enhancing public realm, integrating place making concepts, interlinking with economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The aim of this paper is to illustrate that enhancing public realm through integrating Urban Design, Sustainable approach, and public participation in making of livable, sustainable cities and communities, is the cursor for quality life. Through improved Connectivity, Accessibility, and Sustainability that are imperative parameters for making of great public realm and creating livable spaces, urban environment can be enhanced to great extent. Also addresses social and environmental sustainability while enhancing the image of the city.