Equitable street space allocation: empowering decision makers to priorities pedestrians

Abstract

The transformation of streets from pedestrian-centric spaces to car-dominated has fundamentally altered the urban landscape, with far-reaching consequences for liveability, equity, and sustainability. While traffic engineers look into the aspects of vehicular traffic in great detail, the significance of the vehicular capacity of a street quite often far outweighs the pedestrian capacity when the process of street design is concerned. In many cities, not just in India but worldwide, pedestrian infrastructure is lacking or inadequate, forcing people to rely on other modes of transportation, even if they would prefer to walk. This underscores the critical issue of achieving a democratic distribution of street space, ensuring that all modes of transportation have equitable access to our roadways. Although, going through the IRC guidelines which outline the recommendations for urban road developments in Indian cities one can clearly identify the road classifications and the space allocation for pedestrian walkways as well as NMT infrastructure, it can be observed in numerous cases where the same is not being implemented on ground. Giving the situation a closer look could bring out insights as to why this is. This research delves into the contrast between policy guidelines advocating for pedestrian infrastructure and the challenges encountered during implementation. Specifically, it seeks to uncover the key factors impeding the development of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure despite clear policy directives. By scrutinizing the role of decision-makers in this process, the study aims to shed light on the concept of "equity of street space" within urban environments and how it can be achieved through interventions or tweaks in the decision-making process. The objective of this study is to firstly conduct a comprehensive review of existing policy frameworks pertaining to pedestrian infrastructure. Subsequently, it involves assessing the current state of pedestrian infrastructure to gauge its adequacy and functionality and accordance with the policy frameworks and guiding documents. Furthermore, the study aims to identify barriers and challenges hindering the successful implementation of sidewalks, with a particular focus on the role of decision-makers in this context. Lastly, the research intends to propose recommendations and strategies aimed at empowering decision-makers to facilitate the provision of equitable pedestrian infrastructure. This study is motivated by the pressing challenges confronting urban environments nationwide, including rapid urbanization, escalating population densities, and strain on transportation infrastructure. In response, the provision of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure emerges as a critical imperative. Ensuring equitable access to pedestrian infrastructure is vital for fostering inclusive urban environments where all community members, regardless of age, ability, or socio-economic status, can avail themselves of safe and accessible transportation options.