Public Spaces

To a large extent, architecture and allied design professions are also qualified by internal conversations and validations with little room for patrons' opinions or interactions with the public realm. In effect, it is a matter of reflection if these professional domains, to a certain extent, are estranged from addressing a broader spectrum of social needs and realities of Indian cities. The academia in these professions, too, except a few eminent schools and institutions for planning and architecture, seems to be insulated from the needs of the industry and public realm

- P VENUGOPAL The writer is a Hyderabad-based practising architect and urban designer. Views expressed are personal

Against the backdrop of many proactive urban missions launched by the Indian State over the last decade, it may be pertinent to reflect on the current ecosystem surrounding the planning of public space improvement, and public building works in cities undertaken by various state governments.

It would also be pertinent to inquire if the state governments are hiring a larger pool of experts of the best quality from domains of architecture, urban planning, urban design, and related disciplines to produce well-planned and designed public projects.

Conversely, discussing whether architecture and allied professions in India are engaged well with public projects and the public realm is equally relevant.

Over the last decade, urban corporations across India have undertaken public space improvement projects, albeit on a modest scale, under various national urban missions, and other state initiatives.

However, among other aspects, uncertainties of short-lived life engulf most public projects due to political regime changes and resulting delays or haste in their implementation, which is fraught with ineffective spending of public monies and resources.

The paucity of funds and absence of sound long-term urban financing mechanisms add to the uncertain landscape.

While planning public projects, urban corporations face internal challenges in integrating work between disparate government departments connected with city improvements.

In turn, much-needed integrated and holistic planning action is affected.

Rigid audit compliance and bureaucratic processes, intricate and opaque processes of procuring technical professional services often at the lowest cost, and complex eligibility requirements keep the prospect of engaging more professionals or firms to plan and design public space and building works at bay.