Architecture and Civil Engineering

Pedestrians are in peril and are fast vanishing from the urban scene because of the perceptible threats and other factors. However the sustainable development practices at the global level are increasingly recognizing the importance of walkable environments because of their positive social, health and environmental implications. Consequently, various governments across the globe are attempting to make their cities and neighborhoods more pedestrian friendly. Sustenance of the renewed spirits lies to a large extent in the legislative framework that dictates the built environment of our cities. It becomes pertinent that we explore the various government policies, rules and regulations regarding their likely impact on the pedestrian culture in the cities. In this context, the paper first highlights the concerns for the decline of walking in the Indian cities and the failure of our planning agencies in responding to the pedestrian context. After that it brings forth the legislations at various levels of governance that could be instrumental in promoting the sustained pedestrian spirits in the context of Indian cities. The paper also discusses the initiatives of a few organizations that have contributed for the enhancement of walkability of Indian cities. The author observes that enough policies and guidelines exist safeguarding and promoting the pedestrian interests in the Indian cities. However, the implementation of the enshrined provisions is grossly lacking.