November 10, 2019

Gurgaon has shown highest fatality rates in road accidents in 2018. Pedestrians and 2-wheelers are most vulnerable road users. Even though IRC mandates at least 1.8 m wide footpaths, one hardly finds pedestrian paths that are universally accessible and free of fixed utilities. Around 50% of people walk on foot or cycle to their destination, in Gurugram, yet we lack on appropriate infrastructure. Besides, cities should provide sustainable transport systems to provide healthy and happy living to its citizens.

Workshop has been organized, in collaboration with Municipal Corporation Gurugram, World Resources Institute India, Raahgiri Foundation, FIA Foundation and Suburb Magazine to engage with the citizens – kids and adults alike. It’s a hands-on walk-shop to learn benefits of safe and walkable students. The intent of walk_shop is to spread awareness among various communities about inclusive street design and identifying the major issues by conducting small walks with school children, Resident Welfare Associations, NGOs and communities in neighborhood. This would further help stakeholders to realize the importance of walkable and safer streets.

The event involved participation of kids from Mount Olympus School, Ansal University, American Montessori Public School with teachers and other stakeholders such as various R.W.A. and independent volunteer groups, totaling to 80 participants. They were further divided in four groups to walk down four demarcated routes around Mount Olympus School. The exercises included documenting four stretches, assessing different elements on the street-good and bad, which were recorded in green and red frames. This was followed by recording assessment maps and proposals. These were reviewed by Chief Engineer, Raman Sharma from Municipal Corporation Gurugram. He keenly listened to all the presentations by kids and adults keenly and promised to act immediately to some of the highlighted points.