Ahmedabad Mobility Forums Advocate for Concrete Action in Urban Planning
In a significant push for transformative urban development, two consecutive seminars held at the 'AmdavadNXT—A Public Exhibition on City Mobility' on Sunday delivered a unified call to action: demand management and citizen-centric planning must evolve from mere discussion to measurable targets. The events highlighted urgent strategies to enhance public transport and ensure inclusivity in Ahmedabad's mobility framework.
Demand Management and Quick Wins for Public Transport
At the session titled 'Getting People on Public Transport: Demand Management, Behaviour Change, Incentives & Disincentives, Quick Wins,' experts identified key levers to boost ridership. Immediate measures proposed include increasing bus frequency, ensuring safe last-mile connectivity, and implementing paid parking systems. A critical point raised was the need to rebalance municipal budgets, which currently favor road widening over improving transit infrastructure.
Arjit Soni, founder-CEO of MyByk, emphasized the importance of long-term solutions over temporary fixes. "A policy on taxing vehicles based on their size should be on the civic agenda, and prioritizing footpaths on every road stretch in the city should be a necessity," he stated, adding that everyday convenience, rather than event-driven adjustments, is crucial for attracting and retaining public transport users.
The panel also urged the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to adopt greater transparency by publishing an annual mobility scorecard. This document would track key metrics such as service frequency, reliability, and progress on pedestrian infrastructure upgrades, providing a clear benchmark for accountability and improvement.
Inclusive Planning for All Citizens
In the subsequent seminar, 'MobiliseHer: Strengthening Planning Processes to Make Them More Citizen-Centric,' discussions centered on making urban mobility accessible to all demographics, particularly women. Experts pointed out that app-only systems, including bike-sharing and digital ticketing, often exclude individuals without smartphones or digital literacy, disproportionately affecting women.
To address this gap, the session called for the implementation of alternative channels, such as physical ticket counters and cash payment options, alongside the development of 'complete street' cross-sections. These designs prioritize safe and accessible pathways for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users, ensuring that urban spaces cater to diverse needs rather than just vehicular traffic.
The convergence of these seminars underscores a growing consensus among urban planners and civic activists in Ahmedabad. By focusing on demand management through incentives and disincentives, and by embedding citizen-centric principles into planning processes, the city can move towards a more sustainable, equitable, and efficient mobility ecosystem. The emphasis is now on translating these insights into actionable policies and tangible outcomes for Ahmedabad's residents.
