Written by Avishek Jha Edited by Keshav Suryanarayanan
Over the last five years, Chennai’s Streets for People initiative has been instrumental in transforming over hundred kilometres of the city’s streets for more accessible and equitable mobility. An initiative of the Greater Chennai Corporation with technical support from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) India Programme, the Streets for People initiative has been selected as the winner of the acclaimed international Ashden Awards 2020 in the Sustainable Mobility (International) category.
Written by Avishek Jha Edited by Keshav Suryanarayanan
Rethinking Urban Mobility
With citywide lockdowns and the suspension of public transport systems, COVID-19 has forced cities to rethink urban mobility. The pandemic has illustrated what streets without cars could look like, and people around the world have reclaimed their street spaces for mobility or access to essentials and services among others. More importantly, the lockdown has amplified the importance of walking and cycling as affordable, equitable, and sustainable modes of transport for a large section of the urban population.
The Streets for People initiative in Chennai was aimed at improving walking and cycling infrastructure and enables people to move safely through the city. In Chennai, these streets proved extremely effective during the lockdown, enabling physical distancing and safe movement in neighbourhoods. As cities reopen and physical distancing becomes the new normal, the importance of such people-friendly initiatives for pedestrians and cyclists grows manifold.
Aswathy Dilip
Senior Programme Manager
Aswathy Dilip
Senior Programme Manager
The Chennai Streets for People Initiative
Since 2013, Chennai has been transforming its streets for safety, comfort, and inclusivity. In 2014, the city adopted the Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) Policy, to dedicate 60 percent of its budget towards NMT. Chennai was the first Indian city to adopt a policy of this kind. Since then, with the support of the ITDP India Programme, the city has –
- inaugurated the Pondy Bazaar Pedestrian Plaza as a model ‘people-friendly’ public space.
- built the capacity of municipal engineers through study tours, workshops and formal training programmes.
- launched a city-wide Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) system and a progressive on-street parking management system.
- adopted the Complete Street Guidelines to inform all future street design projects.
- launched a “Car-Free Sundays” programme to promote the idea of celebrating streets as public spaces.
- engaged the public for a participatory planning process through several tactical urbanism initiatives and stakeholder consultations.
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