BBMP has launched a new city-wide initiative – ’Revitalising Bengaluru’s Public Spaces’, inviting citizens to nominate under-utilised public spaces along the streets in their neighbourhood that they want to see transformed. The nominations are open to community groups, architects, urban designers, and other design professional.s from firms and academic institutions.
Recognising the pivotal role that public spaces play in the city’s social, ciiitu rat, and economic fabric, the program looks beyond the parks and lakes to the everyday spaces along our streets—spaces that arc often overlooked but essential to vibrant neighbourhood llfe.
The initiative identifies four key types of public spaces for’ revitalisation(not Iimited to these):
- Communal spaces are gathering spaces used for rest, socialising, worship,etc such as kattes, urban village squares, street corners, etc.
- Leftover spaces along public infrastructure that are often derelict and can be reclaimed, such as under flyovers/metro Iines, edges around parks/lakes/rajakaluves, and infrastructure buffers.
- Multi-functional streets serve as hubs for food, shopping, and walking, as well as conservancy lanes and school access zones.
- Circulation spaces are transportation nodes like bus stops, metro stations,junctions and road islands, pedestrian underpass/overpass
All nominated sites will be assessed based on feasibility and potential impact. Selected spaces will be added to a city-wide repository of underutilised public spaces, with some taken up for redevelopment by BBMP over the next five years following an annual budgeting cycle.
The nominated public spaces must have the potential to benefit the wider public, especially those who live, work, or commute through these areas. The vision for place enhancement can include increasing safety; adding new spaces for community interaction, rest, and play; encouraging walking and cycling; tackling heat stress and flood management; and improving access and inclusion for women, children, the elderly, and differently abled people, amongst other design goals.
The BBMP has initiated a new approach to identify and revamp public spaces across the city, said Chief Engineer from the Roads and Infrastructure Division.
“Citizens who care about public areas within the BBMP limits, as well as architects and urban designers, are invited to participate in this initiative,” “The experience and expertise of participants are invaluable, and community feedback plays a crucial role in improving public spaces effectively.”said the Chief Engineer.
“We are inviting citizens who care deeply about their neighbourhoods, Architects/Urban designers, and other design professionals who aim to collaboratively identify public places needing thoughtful development or revitalisation. Your insights, from lived experience or professional expertise, are highly invaluable. We believe the most successful public spaces come from listening to each other and the people who use them daily. This is a partnership, not just a planning exercise. So, we’d Iove to hear your suggestions. If there’s any public space along the streets in your neighbourhood you feel deserves attention, please share it. Let us know why it matters and what impact development could have. Let’s work together to shape spaces that reflect the needs and aspirations of our entire community.”
”The opportunity of this initiative is to bring forth hundreds of small and large public spaces whose value is likely only known by those who live or pass by it daily and where even small transformations can often bring very tangible benefits.” – Ankit Bhargava, Co-founder Sensing Local.
”Public participation is the cornerstone of meaningful urban transformation. As we collectively shape our cities, the 1nstitute of Urban Designers India (IUDl) remains committed to fostering inclusive, context-sensitive, and sustainable urban design practices. This initiative reflects our shared vision—where communities are not just stake holders, but active co-creators of vibrant, resilient, and people-centric urban spaces.” – Trivikram, President, IUDI Karnataka Chapter.
The initiative conceived by BBMP is in collaboration with Sensing Local and the Institute of Urban Designers India -Karnataka Chapter supported by Sustainable Mobility Network and Bengaluru Ward Samiti Balaga. Join the initiative. Nominate a public space in your neighbourhood and help shape the future of Bengaluru’s streets.
