Suggests steps for ‘Pedestrianisation’ in Market Places
New Delhi, June 10 (MExN): The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has recommended holistic planning for pedestrian friendly market spaces in various cities and municipal areas in the country in consultation with stake holders.
The advisory issued by Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, MoHUA to all states/cities/municipal corporations has also suggested the million plus cities to select at least three market places for pedestrianisation & non-million plus cities to select at least one market area for the intaitive, stated a MoHUA statement issued via PIB.
As cities look to ease the lockdown and provide safe, affordable and equitable modes of transport while ensuring physical social distancing, the need for pedestrianisation of market spaces through walking and cycling friendly cities is of utmost importance, it said.
The Ministry further said that the COVID-19 is with an opportunity to reimagine streets for people and make market areas safe from the infection and people-friendly, the need of the hour is “for Indian cities to consider pedestrianizing them.”
Steps suggested by MoHUA for Pedestrianisation in Market Places
1. Selection of Market Location: Million Plus Cities may select at least 3 market places and notify them for Pedestrianisation. At least one market Non Million plus
2. Holistic Planning of the Area: The planning may be done in consultation with the stake holders – Vendors, Municipal officers, Traffic police, parking facility owners, Shop owners and consumers. This will require proper survey of space used in the present scenario by various stakeholders. A movement/direction plan has to be prepared to see that there are designated walking paths where visitors are able to follow social distancing. Plan could be made keeping the trees and other greens intact, adding tree canopy to improve walkability with clear spaces demarcated for vending, waste collection and access to toilet facilities. Plan should also incorporate interactive spaces for public to be carved out of contiguous unclaimed and under-utilized public spaces in the vicinity of the selected market area.
3. Once the plan is made cities may start implementation n two phases – short term and long term.
4. Short-term recommendations include interventions that are quick, temporary, east to install, ad ensure safety to commuters after the lockdown. The market spaces could be rearranged with quick ad temporary measures such as barricades, road closure for vehicles., etc.
5. On-street parking space or even carriageway lanes can be repurposed to provide more walking and waiting space.
6. Cities may consider providing improved access through additional streets.
7. Cyclists may be allowed with dedicated/ear-marked pathways.
8. Provision of access to motor vehicles for residents of the area to commute should be clearly delineated.
9. Municipal Bodies may increase the width of foot paths of the streets leading to the market.
10. Adequate provision of high frequency public transit may be ensured for citizens to access the market area in a comfortable manner.
11. The design of the vending spaces provides a good opportunity for innovations.
12. Long term permanent structures for promoting pedestrianisation can be developed after temporary short-term measures are found working.
