STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC SPACES IN INDIAN CITIES – A MANAGEMENT DIMENSION

Abstract

A common picture is prevalent in the cities regarding the scenario of existing condition of public spaces/ parks where major issue is lacking quality, which is perceived to be a result of inappropriate management approach. With the growing population and shrinking greens, the stakeholders have awakened towards developing, preserving and managing these public spaces. Therefore there is need to address and manage the issues that result in the filthy state of these parks, specifically in Indian cities; and proposing models/ strategies that can lead better management, better quality and enhanced usage of these spaces. For the research information is collected through literature study, on-site observations, survey, and expert opinions. Study of literature finally resulted in identification of the attributes that are essential for quality parks as public spaces. Further several management parameters have also been identified through primary studies, which have crucial role in success or failure of a space. All above finally resulted in formulation of a PSQI (Public Space Quality Index); which helps arriving at overall score as well as dimension wise score for performance of Parks, facilitating focus on the required areas for improvement and proposing targeted strategy to improve the quality and performance of park. Studies taken up in three different cities in India, i.e. Delhi (Big City), Dehradun (Medium City), and Roorkee (Small City) are further evaluated on PSQI, such that the lacking aspects of these can be brought forward and targeted strategies are proposed. An overall model has also been proposed suggesting better management of public spaces, which can facilitate in developing better management strategies, where the management is not just limited to the cleaning, sweeping and repair works; but incorporates all the aspects related to parks i.e. the planning, construction, usage, maintenance, funding and financing, monitoring, control, partnership and governance. However it has been understood that each park has a different settings. Therefore it can be concluded that, context based management approach is the only solution for quality parks, open spaces and other public spaces.