Open streets

Urban public spaces are generally not recognised for much beyond their real estate or recreational value. Yet globally, their potential in crisis or emergency situations is increasingly evident.

When was the last time you took a relaxed stroll with your family or friends through the neighbourhood, ending with an ice cream or perhaps a cup of coffee? The author, accustomed to the ways of Delhi, brings her love of walking in the open to her new home, Bengaluru.

Cycle days, Raahgiri, Pathotsav — events that promote pedestrian-only zones are catching on in a big way, but the larger question of whether they can have a real, sustainable impact on how people commute in cities remains to be decided.