About | BLR Public space revival

About the programme

BACKGROUND

Over the last three years, as a part of the Sustainable Mobility Network, Sensing Local, along with other partners, developed the Urban Revamp Design Challenge (https://sensinglocal.wixsite.com/urbanrevamp), which invited design proposals from Architects to re-imagine under-utilised public spaces in Bengaluru, supported by active citizen groups in the neighbourhood. Two successive competitions resulted in 70 design proposals for 4 sites.

This competition has demonstrated the immense potential to revamp neighbourhood-scale public spaces across the city. Building on this, the program - ‘Revitalising Bengaluru’s Public Spaces’ is conceived as a city-wide initiative to re-imagine under-utilised neighbourhood-level public spaces in an inclusive, holistic and participatory manner by leveraging a partnership between government officials, elected representatives, citizens and the ecosystem of architects, urban designers and other technical experts.

5 KEY GOALS

Create a repository of under-utilised public spaces, aggregating demand and aspiration for their redevelopment, anchored by citizens/community groups, which can be taken up systematically for re-development over a 5-year cycle by BBMP.

Developing a comprehensive feasibility and impact assessment framework for BBMP to select and assess potential sites and their alignment with national, state and city level policies for ensuring inclusive, resilient and livable cities.

Simplifying and streamlining the process for BBMP to engage architects and urban designers in the design and implementation of projects.

Creating mechanisms for public participation across the process of site nomination, brief development, design and implementation.

Exploring public-private partnerships for support funding for aspects such as design development and maintenance.

Partners

BBMP

The BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) is the municipal corporation in charge of governing the city of Bengaluru. BBMP Central Projects Department, anchoring this program is responsible for planning and executing projects related to infrastructure development and road construction. The department has been instrumental in supporting several innovative public space improvement projects in Bengaluru such as - Racecourse road junction, Anand Rao circle, Under shivananda flyover, BHEL junction, Maurya junction, Gandhi Bazaar street, 200 School access zones along 64km white topping roads and the Urban revamp programme supporting 4 public spaces in the neighbourhood of Banaswadi, Doddanakundi, Padyaranaya and Kasturi Nagar.

Sensing Local

Set up in 2016, Sensing Local is an Urban Living Lab focused on tackling environmental and public health challenges in Indian cities through participatory and data-led decision-making. The multi-disciplinary practice has core expertise in urban planning, design, and governance. We work with various stakeholders - government bodies, NGOs, community organisations and private institutions offering support in strategy development, evidence collation, consensus building and visioning to nudge decision-making towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. Our core sectors include waste management, air pollution, sustainable mobility, water pollution, and public space design. Sensing Local is supported by the Sustainable Mobility Network.

Institute of Urban Designers India (IUDI) Karnataka

The Institute of Urban Designers, India (IUDI), founded in 2006, has over 400 urban designers as members nationwide. Its Karnataka Chapter includes more than 30 urban designers across the state with experience working on projects of various scales, including city development and area-based plans. IUDI-Karnataka members bring expertise in urban design, placemaking, planning, heritage conservation, public participation, transport, architecture, ecology, sustainability, finance, and real estate and facilitate a multi-disciplinary approach with diverse stakeholders to create resilient, inclusive, and place-specific urban environments. Their design approach integrates environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic viability. As skilled urban designers, they bridge planning and architecture, shaping policies and interventions that enhance both the built environment and the communities it serves.

Bengaluru Ward Samiti Balaga

Ward Samiti Balaga is a coalition of Active Citizens and Citizens Groups in Bengaluru, established in 2022, to work in convergence with city governments, predominantly towards strengthening Ward Committees and Area Sabhas. This coalition was initiated by Janagraha and is supported by other organisations such as Sensing Local, Apsa, SWMRT, etc.

The program is conceived by BBMP, Sensing Local and Institute of Urban Designers (Karnataka) and is supported by the Sustainable Mobility Network. Our outreach partner is the Bengaluru Ward Samithi Balaga.