Abstract:
Public spaces are the heart of a city, shaping its liveliness and sense of
community. Ideally, they should be fair and accessible, offering safe and
welcoming areas for everyone to relax and connect. But in many fast-growing
Indian cities, this isn't the case. Unequal access and quality remain a problem,
especially for underprivileged communities. Recognizing this issue, the Indian
government, through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and
the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), is looking at a new approach
called "tactical urbanism."
Tactical urbanism is like a low-cost experiment for cities. It uses temporary
changes, like adding planters or painting streets for games, to see if people
like them. If they do, the city can make them permanent. This thesis explores
how tactical urbanism can be used in Ujjain, India, to create public spaces
that are fair and welcoming for everyone. The research focused on three key
areas. First, it explored the concept of tactical urbanism and how it's been
used worldwide. Second, it investigated existing tactical urbanism projects in
Ujjain. Finally, it examined a specific area in Ujjain, understanding how
different communities use these spaces and the challenges they face.
Based on this research, the thesis proposes specific, achievable changes that
Ujjain can make using tactical urbanism. These changes aim to make public
spaces more inclusive for all residents, leading to a more vibrant city. The
research used a mix of existing information and interviews conducted in Ujjain
itself.
This thesis adds to our knowledge about tactical urbanism's power to
transform public spaces. By focusing on Ujjain, it provides valuable lessons
for other cities facing similar challenges. Moreover, because this research
aligns with MoHUA and NIUA's goals, the proposed changes have a strong
chance of making a real difference in Ujjain and inspiring similar efforts
elsewhere.
