Why Indian Cities aren't Walkable | A Quint Original Documentary

Summary

The video highlights the critical lack of pedestrian infrastructure in Indian cities, where footpaths are often hazardous, forcing pedestrians to walk on roads alongside vehicles. This leads to increasing fatalities, traffic congestion, and environmental degradation. Experts discuss how urban planning disproportionately prioritizes vehicles over pedestrians, making walking a daily struggle. However, examples from cities like Chennai show that with investment in walkable spaces, significant improvements in mobility and safety can be achieved. The video calls for a shift in planning that equally values pedestrians, with a focus on designing safe, accessible, and sustainable walking infrastructure.

Takeaways

• 🚶‍♂️ Indian cities lack proper walkable footpaths, forcing pedestrians to walk on roads and risk accidents.
• ⚠️ Pedestrian fatalities in India have doubled in six years, highlighting unsafe walking conditions.
• 🚗 Urban development in India disproportionately prioritizes vehicular infrastructure like roads, metros, and parking over pedestrian needs.
• 🏙️ Experts from Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata reveal that footpaths are obstructed, unsafe, and inaccessible, especially for the elderly, women, and differently abled individuals.
• 👩‍🦯 Many sidewalks are blocked by debris, vendors, vehicles, or are poorly designed, leaving pedestrians vulnerable to traffic.
• 🏘️ The rise of gated communities and car-centric planning has reduced walkability and fragmented city connectivity.
• 🇳🇱 European cities like Amsterdam achieved walkable, cyclist-friendly environments through persistent citizen movements and policy reforms.
• 💔 Poor pedestrian infrastructure leads to tragic deaths like that of 18-year-old Manisha Kumari, underscoring systemic neglect of pedestrian safety.
• 🚦 Foot overbridges and subways favor cars, not people — experts advocate for safe, at-grade crossings with proper signals.
• 🌳 Creating continuous, shaded, safe sidewalks with accessible surfaces and public amenities can drastically improve urban livability.
• 💰 Building walkable infrastructure is cost-effective and feasible if governments show political will and prioritize equitable road design.
• 🌍 Successful examples like Chennai’s 120 km pedestrian network show that improved walkability reduces car use and emissions significantly.
• 🤝 Designing for all stakeholders — including hawkers, trees, and utilities — ensures balanced and inclusive use of street space.
• 🚌 Without safe last-mile walking connectivity, even public transport systems fail to serve citizens effectively.
• 🏗️ Making cities walkable is not just about infrastructure — it’s about creating inclusive, safe, and social public spaces for everyone.

Q & A

Why are Indian cities considered difficult for pedestrians?

Indian cities often lack walkable footpaths, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road alongside vehicles. The sidewalks are poorly designed with obstacles like open manholes, hanging wires, and construction debris, making walking a hazardous experience.

What impact does the lack of pedestrian infrastructure have on urban mobility?

The poor pedestrian infrastructure leads people to rely on vehicles even for short distances, contributing to traffic congestion, air pollution, and road rage. This also results in increased pedestrian fatalities.

What is the current trend regarding pedestrian fatalities in India?

Pedestrian fatalities in India have doubled in just six years, with pedestrians accounting for nearly half of all road deaths. Many of these deaths are due to the lack of safe crossings and proper infrastructure for walkers.

How does the allocation of funds in Indian urban development affect pedestrians?

A disproportionate amount of investment in Indian cities goes toward vehicular infrastructure like roads, parking, and metros, while pedestrian infrastructure is often neglected. This leads to unsafe and inaccessible spaces for those walking.

What are some examples of cities making strides towards improving walkability?

Cities like Chennai have designed walkable footpaths, preventing 30% of people from using motor vehicles. Pune and Ahmedabad have also worked on improving non-motorized transport systems, focusing on walkability and cycling.

How do the conditions for pedestrians in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata differ?

In Mumbai, footpaths were removed during the renovation of bridges, leading to unsafe walking conditions. In Bengaluru, narrow and obstructed paths make it difficult for differently-abled people and senior citizens to walk. Kolkata faces safety concerns, especially for women, as poorly lit pedestrian spaces force people to walk on the roads.

What is the role of urban designers in improving walkability in Indian cities?

Urban designers like Prasana Desai focus on creating inclusive spaces for pedestrians, ensuring that streets are designed to accommodate everyone. This includes creating continuous, wide sidewalks, integrating hawkers into the street design, and maintaining these spaces to ensure safety and accessibility.

How does the design of European cities compare to Indian cities regarding walkability?

While European cities prioritize walkability and have a high rate of car ownership, Indian cities, despite their dense infrastructure, often neglect pedestrian spaces. However, Europe’s focus on pedestrian and cycling networks was built on years of advocacy, similar to what is needed in India.

What are some of the key issues affecting pedestrian safety in India?

Key issues include wide roads designed for vehicles, which increase speed and risk for pedestrians, and a lack of safe crossings or pedestrian-friendly infrastructure like subways or footbridges. The resistance to reducing vehicle space for pedestrian safety is also a major barrier.

What can be done to fix India's pedestrian infrastructure?

Simple measures like clear, uninterrupted surfaces for walking, safe crossings, proper lighting, and integration of local vendors (hawkers) into the design can significantly improve pedestrian infrastructure. There is also a need for better maintenance of sidewalks and a balanced allocation of space for both vehicles and pedestrians.