On 1st April, eminent architect, urbanist and academic Dr. Bimal Patel delivered a lecture on ‘Managing Urban Redevelopment,’ at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE). Prof. Abhay Pethe, Senior Fellow, Pune International Centre (PIC), and Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor, GIPE, was the chair at the session organised jointly by PIC and GIPE.
Through a powerful presentation on the subject, Dr. Patel, Padma Shri, explained how lack of streets and prevalence of narrow streets was one of the main reasons for a host of serious urban problems in Indian cities, including acute traffic congestion. He said what Indian cities need is a grid-like street layout that is seen in New York and other well-planned cities.
Dr. Patel is renowned for his work on major projects such as the Parliament House and Central Vista Transformation; restoration and expansion of Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad; Vishwanath Dham, Sri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, Varanasi; and Redevelopment of Mumbai Eastern Waterfront. Acknowledging that Indian cities were badly planned, he said that change through redevelopment could be achieved incrementally over the years through sensible planning as was done in the best cities of the world. He pointed out that even at the zenith of the British colonial power during the late 19th and early 20th century, London was a terrible city to live in.
The event witnessed a lively question-answer session. PIC Director Abhay Vaidya welcomed the guests and delivered the vote of thanks.
Click here to watch YouTube Video of event.
