WRITING ARCHITECTURE TROPHY | 2022-23

"Designing for Diversity: The Role of Public Spaces in

Building Inclusive Communities in India"

“First life, then spaces, then buildings - the other way around never works.” Jan Gehl (Gehl,

2010).

In a diverse culture like India, public spaces are paramount because they create a platform

for bringing the community together, fostering interaction, and nurturing linkages

throughout communities. In a real-world context, they represent a democratic society in

which people from various backgrounds can engage, discuss ideas, and contribute to

community life. This research essay aims to explore the role of public spaces in building

inclusive communities in India and how we can design public spaces to promote diversity.

Urbanization and industrialization have engulfed our civilization in recent decades. As the

population increases, so do the problems. The logical planning and architectural contexts

used in the past for buildings and spaces are now nearing the end of their useful life, as

priorities have shifted toward focusing on individual buildings while ignoring or giving

negligible priority to public spaces and pedestrian movement. The result of these two

factors has been that the role a city was or is supposed to play, i.e., provide a healthy

lifestyle and livelihood to its urban dwellers and visitors, is being compromised by the day,

or by the second in India's context. (Gehl, 2010). Besides the open space, the built space is

more than the open space, which results in a fast-paced life. A rapid, hectic way of life is the

consequence of the constructed space is larger than the open area. The days of the city's
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hearts and Chowk bazaar, which once served as the hubs of social and commercial activity

and as locations for people to congregate, shop, and transact business, had long since

passed. People would gather there to commemorate holidays and other significant cultural

occasions. This promoted a sense of belonging and community by encouraging individuals

from diverse backgrounds and socio-economic classes to interact with one another. The

greatest method of feeling connected to one's community, culture, and the significance of

communication is to gather all the facts and establish a bond in one spot. But this idea is

now long gone, which has led to a barrier between the age groups. For instance, the

communication gap between elders and younger generations has been increasing since

the latter are more immersed in virtual reality than in reality, which they are ignorant of.

Because of this disparity, it is difficult to create an inclusive environment that endures as

time goes on.

Figure 1. COMPARISON BETWEEN OLD DAYS AND NOWADAYS CHILDHOOD REALITY

Understanding why we need more public spaces nowadays has received negligible

attention. We should understand more about public spaces and their importance. Public

spaces are not only spaces that provide a way to escape from our virtual lives and hectic

schedules, but they also act as a breathing lung for cities. We are so lost in ourselves and

our work schedules that we don't pay any heed to the social problems that are going on.

An offset of this was the ‘Project for Public Spaces’ by UN-Habitat, which came out of the

realization that public spaces can be a vital ingredient in making successful cities (Habitat,

U.N., 2012)

The public space, where "public" originates from the Latin word "publicus," evolved from

the word "poplicus" (of the people), which evolved from the populus "people." The easiest
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explanation of public space is "people's space." Public spaces have been of the utmost

importance since ancient times. The history of public spaces can be traced back to ancient

civilizations, where public squares and forums were used for social and political gatherings.

The Greeks were the first to drift away from cities being built as reflections of autocratic

governing styles. During the medieval period, town squares were central to community life

and were used for markets, festivals, and executions. In the 19th and 20th centuries, they

established public spaces such as parks and gardens in urban areas as a response to

industrialization and urbanization, with a monument at the center. The concept of "public

space" has evolved to include spaces such as sidewalks, plazas, and community centers

that serve a variety of social, cultural, and political functions. In recent decades, the role of

public spaces in fostering democratic discourse, promoting public health, and addressing

social and environmental issues have gained recognition and importance.

Figure 2. The Greek Agora and its reconstruction in 150 AD Figure 3, The Roman Street Gathering

The Indian cities have two major problems, the first being rapid urbanization, and the

second being the failure of the services provided in the cities and the infrastructure. These

two problems are now so prominent that we can't ignore them. Though only these two
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issues are among those affecting cities, there are also unsanitary public spaces and

pathways, pollution, water logging, and traffic congestion.

Figure 4. Delhi Pollution Figure 5 Indian Cities Traffic Figure 6. Streets garbage flooding

So now, to tackle this, the formulation of public spaces had become more important, which

included both considerations for the inclusivity of the spaces and tackling the challenges

while designing.

Having inclusive public spaces in a heterogeneous country includes aspects where

accessibility is a key aspect of designing for diversity. We should design public spaces to

accommodate the needs of people with disabilities, the elderly, and other marginalized

groups. For example, the Indian government has launched the Accessible India campaign

to make public spaces more accessible to people with disabilities. This includes providing

ramps, elevators, and other amenities that make it easy for people with disabilities to move

around. (Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), 2015).

they say,, to know the importance of something, pain is needed. So, we can say that COVID-

19 hit our hearts with the realization of how we have been in a dark, concrete world with

no escape from life. Now is the time for this realization to become a future reality. It

becomes crucial to involve all stakeholders in the design process and take into

consideration the requirements and perspectives of all members of the community,

including marginalized groups and people with special needs, to make public spaces

inclusive and transparent to all members of society effectively. Incorporating cultural

elements that reflect the diversity of the community is another way to design for diversity.

This can include murals, sculptures, and other public art that celebrate the cultural heritage

of the community. We should also consider the needs of children when designing public

spaces. Children need safe and secure spaces to play, socialize and learn. For this reason,

public spaces should include amenities like playgrounds, parks, and other areas specifically

designed for children. "By creating spaces that cater to the needs of children, we can

promote their well-being and help them develop into well-rounded individuals." For

instance, the city of Ahmedabad has several murals that depict the city's rich cultural

heritage and are a popular tourist attraction. This type of cultural representation helps to

promote a sense of belonging and connection among members of the community.

(Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, 2022)

As for the challenges, one of the key challenges in creating inclusive public spaces in India

is the lack of public participation in the design process. This can lead to spaces that do not

meet the needs or preferences of the local community and that may even exclude certain
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groups of people. To address this issue, it is important to involve all stakeholders in the

design process, including community members, local organizations, and government

officials. An example of a public space in India that has involved all stakeholders in the

design process is the Marine Drive Promenade in Mumbai. They designed this promenade

in consultation with residents, businesses, and government officials to ensure that it met

the needs and preferences of the community. All parties with a stake in the solution to the

problem, such as members of the local community, non-profit groups, and government

representatives, must be involved in the design process. An example of a public space in

India that considers the broader social and cultural context of the community is the Gandhi

Smriti in New Delhi. They designed this park to reflect the life and legacy of Mahatma

Gandhi and include features such as a replica of his cottage and a museum, providing a

space for people to learn about and reflect on India's cultural and political heritage.

Many techniques, including focus groups, online surveys, and community meetings, can do

this. Designers may better understand the needs and preferences of all community

members by actively engaging with them, enabling them to make environments that are

truly inclusive and accessible to all. The necessity of creating public places that are gender-

sensitive and secure for everyone in India is a crucial factor to consider while constructing

inclusive public spaces. This entails creating environments that are secure and hospitable

for women and other gender minorities by considering their unique needs and viewpoints.

This can entail things like offering sufficient lighting and security, creating physically

accessible locations, and adding amenities

Designers built the Dharavi Community Park in Mumbai with the needs of marginalized

groups in mind. They designed this park in collaboration with the local community and

included features such as ramps and handrails to make it accessible for people with

disabilities and separate areas for women to use the restroom. Designing public spaces in

India should consider the larger social and cultural context of the community, besides

integrating all stakeholders and ensuring that spaces are gender-sensitive and safe for

everyone. For such a design process, the role of the regional climate, cultural customs, and

religious beliefs may help build places that are inclusive and accessible to all community

members by considering the context of the surroundings. The design perspective for the

Hauz Khas Village in New Delhi has proven how important it is to create a design that

brings inclusivity with it. It has revitalized this area to include more lighting, CCTV cameras,

and a police booth, making it a safer and more welcoming space for women and other

marginalized groups. ([Link], 2015)

In conclusion, designing for diversity is a crucial aspect of creating inclusive communities in

India. Public spaces play a critical role in this process by providing opportunities for people

from different backgrounds to interact and engage with each other. It is important to

ensure that public spaces are accessible, incorporate cultural elements that reflect the

diversity of the community, cater to the needs of children, and promote social interaction.

By designing public spaces in this way, we can build communities that are inclusive,

diverse, and united. Jane Jacobs, an urban activist, and writer advocated that everybody

should create cities that provide something for everybody. It is crucial to continue to

address issues of gender sensitivity and safety in public spaces, particularly for women and

other marginalized groups. As urbanization and industrialization continue to shape our

cities, it is essential to create public spaces that not only serve functional needs but also

promote social cohesion and a sense of belonging. By continuing to prioritize inclusivity

and accessibility in the design of public spaces, we can create environments that enhance

the quality of life for all members of the community.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Figure 1. Comparison Between Old Days And Nowadays Childhood Reality (Image)

[Link]

[Link]

Figure 2. The Greek Agora And Its Reconstruction In 150 AD . (Image)

[Link]

Figure 3. The Roman Street Gathering (Image)

[Link]

Figure 4. Delhi Pollution (Image)

[Link]

3637394cb7d4-large16x9_AP18361192828092.jpg

Figure 5. Delhi Traffic (Image)

[Link]

Figure 6, Street Garbage Flooding

[Link]

[Link]. In (2015)
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Nanda, K.(2019).Does The Provision Of Well Designed Public Spaces Lead To Positive City

Development In India ?

Planning. (2018, August 17). Public Space And [Link]