2.2.2 Approach - Prioritizing motor vehicles Vs Prioritizing People

SPONGE COLLABORATIVE + WEAVING WITH WATER Team

MULLASSERY CANAL FRAMEWORK AND CANAL EDGE MASTERPLAN

4. Parts of the canal stretch along Subsite A (Mullassery Canal Road) and Subsite B are covered with concrete slabs. The underground and above-ground utilities are haphazardly laid out with no regard paid to the canal and the overall urban character. Street design exercise is an opportunity to plan and eciently integrate utility management.

The following could be the challenges in implementing the mobility framework. 1. The current Right of Way for most streets within the Mullassery Canal precinct is less than 7m and is constrained to facilitate 2-way movement with parking facilities as per demand. 2. The Mullassery Canal Road along the subsite A has to offer entryways to the properties on the South of the canal edge which further constrains the possibility to open up the canal completely.

2.2.2 Approach - Prioritizing motor vehicles Vs Prioritizing People:

Figure 41: Comparison between vehicle-centric scenario and people-centric scenario for developing mobility network (Image Credit: Weaving with Water team)

Our conventional street design practices put forth motorists in the center of all decisions. Kochi is no exception. The city of Kochi continues to have a higher number of road accidents in Kerala. Out of 2561 accident cases registered in 2015 in the city, 168 cases were fatal and around 1637 had severe injuries. Walkability is one of the important factors to promote liveability and combat trac fatality and pollution. The framework prioritizes people over vehicles to ensure citizens of Kochi have access to a safe, comfortable, vibrant, and universally accessible walking-friendly environment.