Response
1:
I quote Enrique Penalosa:
"The importance of pedestrian public spaces cannot be measured.
We cannot prove mathematically that wider sidewalks, pedestrian
streets, more or better parks make people happier, much less measure
how much happier.
However if we reflect, most things that are important in life cannot
be measured either: Friendship, beauty, love and loyalty are examples.
Parks and other pedestrian places are essential to a happy urban
life. There is a curious difference between parks and other public
investments.
If people lack transport, running water, or other traditional public
services, they will feel very unsatisfied. But if they do have those
services, they do not get much satisfaction out of it.
On the contrary, if they lack parks or other pedestrian spaces,
they will not be particularly dissatisfied. But if they do have
them, they will derive out of it ceaseless satisfaction.
It is so, because most government services are means to a better
life; while pedestrian spaces are an end in themselves; they practically
ARE a better life in themselves."
Enrique Penalosa, Ex-Mayor of Bogota..
I think what little Open Public Space we have, we must look at it
in such a manner that it becomes "accessible open public space"
where citizens of all economic sections can enjoy the benefits nature
provides.
I would like to be part of this group as well as on "Beautification
and Street Furniture".
Sudhir Badami
B Tech (Civil Engg), M Tech (Structural Engineering) IIT Bombay
Member of the Infrastructure Sub-committee, CAG for Mumbai
badami@vsnl.com
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