Streets For the People

Findings

It is undeniable that Panaji has car issues. Within a state that has the highest vehicle ownership (Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Goa 2019), Panaji has steadily deregulated two and four-wheel vehicles. For a city of just over 40,000 people, Panaji suffers excessive mobility issues from parking, pedestrian accessibility, and efficiency. The consequences are not limited to the frustration of drivers but extended to poor air quality for children going to school, a higher opportunity cost for businesses, and an overall decrease of livability for those in the area.

The lack of regulation has led to the streets being underutilized. Casino goers leave their vehicles in front of businesses for many hours without showing a rupee to the stores as they enter the economic island of the casino. Valuable parking spots are taken up by idle tourist vehicles whose drivers are hoping to make a day’s pay in one or two rides. Curbside parking is perhaps one of the most valued pieces of land, yet it is left to be consumed without any checks.

While mobility is a comprehensive topic spanning walking, bicycling, driving, and public transport, it is not treated as such in Panaji. Imagine Panaji started addressing mobility by publishing the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Goa. Granted this plan takes critical first steps to understand the current situation and moving the conversation forward; it lacks tangible action points. There lacks a detailed plan that takes into account every mode of transportation and how the streets are managed for Panaji. Residents even report inter-agency fighting over whose responsibility it was to resurface a road after utility work.

Goal

Given Imagine Panaji’s commitment to mobility, the goal is to provide tangible steps to inform the public and work collaboratively to achieve better streets for everyone, especially those who are marginalized and rely on walking and public transportation.

Short

Initiate an information campaign to inform local property and business owners of the benefits of enhancing the walkability of streets. While those in built environment professions know that pedestrianized streets help residents lead healthier lives and boost retail sales, this is often not understood by shop owners who have sharply opposed traffic and parking regulations in the past.

Medium

In partnership with businesses, CCP will place metal barricades that prevent vehicles from blocking the pedestrian pathway at intersections, thus enhancing the walkability for everyone, especially those most in need. By creating less hostile streets for disabled persons, Panaji reinforces the equal access rights solidified in the Constitution of India (i.e. Articles 15, 17, and 23) as the street serves as the means by which individuals access job opportunities, places of worship, their property, etc.

Long

Once trust and cooperation has been built, regulations can be reimplemented, such as instituting a 2-hour parking limit from 08:00 to 19:00. For residents and property owners, exemption permits may be granted for their respective street. The Traffic Police would be the primary enforcement agency. Imagine Panaji would contribute license plate scanners to assist the enforcement. 25