Tactile Urbanism & Place Making Solutions

Tactile Urbanism & Place Making Solutions

Urbanity which started with the advent of agriculture and industries has come a long way to present day metro and megalopolis cities. With the growing city the smaller settlements in the past are changing to more and more complex scenarios. Cities are connected by different layers like roads, streets, tree networking, wire, pipelines which transfer people, fresh air, electricity and water from one place to another. These networks act like veins of the city connecting every part. In addition to new infrastructure or public space in the city, it needs a new piece of land. When every layer is overlapped on one another the left over space develops left over space which are usually these urban voids/ under utilized space. These urban voids or underutilized spaces have potential and the only way to regenerate, is to active the space is by welcoming people into it. This can happen only by allotting a particular use or purpose to a place. There is a need for a phenomenon called Tactile Urbanism and Place Making to happen in those places to make it active and livable. “City has abundant small space have key impact on the quality of life. If those spaces are unattractive and left unattended people will respond and retreat from the city streets and eventually have an adverse effect on the city in all aspects.” ( The social of small urban space by Whyte, 1980) Tactical Urbanism is a change made to the built environment, to enhance neighborhoods that are low-cost, quick to execute and also uplift public spaces. These are community and volunteer led activities to make a location user friendly.

Benefits/Advantages of doing Tactile Urbanism

1. It helps deepen understanding of user’s needs at the site for intervention through a rapid assessment of the existing challenges, opportunities, and constraints.
2. It serves as a proof of concept for a plan before committing large financial investments to a project. Conversely, it also helps expedite project implementation knowing that there is a buy-in from all stakeholders involved if the tactical urbanism project has received positive feedback post-implementation.
3. It encourages community participation in implementation, creates recycling opportunities and repurposing existing infrastructure to create a new identity while ensuring user feedback. Thus, generating low-cost interventions and reducing the risk of project failure, especially if the project is for the short term.
4. It encourages residents, non-profits, local businesses, and government agencies to work together while using the system creatively. This helps widen public engagement by providing an opportunity for more effective conversations with citizens.
5. Tactical urbanism, hence, presents a unique opportunity to bring a coherence between public agencies and communities, and arrive at more need-based solutions.
During phase 2 of the B.SAFE Constituency program during the year 2023-24 by integrating tactile urbanism principles, we've enhanced parks to cater to children's needs, fostering vibrant spaces. Our dedication to community-led events led to 2 successful narratives of actions on-ground in separate parks

Details of Executed Interventions of Tactile Urbanism & Place Making Solution:

Intervention 1

Date : 27th Jan 2024
Location 1 : KRS Gowda HMT Layout Park , Dasarahalli, Bengaluru

Objective :
To integrate the tactile urbanism principles to enhance the park's appeal by creating vibrant spaces that cater to children’s needs and encourage recreational activities and promote community engagement by organizing and facilitating a series of community-led events in parks.

Event Day Details :
In the morning, we kicked off with a rejuvenating yoga session. Later, we got creative, painting a colorful and vibrant snake and ladder board within the pergola, followed by crafting a vibrant sensorial experience walk path for children. Wrapping up the day with empowerment, we hosted an invigorating Krav Maga workshop tailored for women.Approximately 50 enthusiastic participants attended the event for the duration of the day.

Highlight of the Day :

• Noteworthy guests added to the excitement, with the local MLA S. Muniraju , Dasarahalli graced the park during the event and showed his support for the on-going work and thanked the volunteers for taking their time in creating a usable space for the children.
• The Deputy Consulate General of Israel, Bengaluru Ms. Limor Bletter visited during the Krav Maga session, she also emphasized the significance of Krav Maga in enhancing women's self-defense and safety during the event.

Outcome:
By integrating tactile urbanism principles, the park has undergone a colorful transformation, becoming a dynamic hub that captivates visitors of all ages. The addition of vibrant spaces, such as the painted snake and ladder board and sensorial walk path, has not only enhanced the park's appeal but also catered to the recreational needs of children, fostering an environment of joy and exploration. Furthermore, the community-led events, including the rejuvenating yoga session and empowering Krav Maga workshop, have strengthened community bonds and promoted active engagement among B.SAFE Ambassadors, residents of Dasarahalli, CGI volunteers, St.Paul’s College students and others

Intervention 2

Date : 17th Feb 2024
Location : Soundarya BBMP Park , Sanjaynagar, Bengaluru

Objective :
The objective is to utilize tactile urbanism principles to enrich the park's attractiveness by developing lively areas that meet children's requirements, stimulate recreational pursuits, and foster community involvement through the coordination and facilitation of a variety of community-led events in parks.

Event Day Details :
On the event day, our activities commenced with embellishing the pergola with a dynamic Ludo board during the morning session. Later in the afternoon, we adorned the children's walk path with captivating designs, including vibrant hopscotch patterns, enhancing the area with colorful creativity. Approximately 45 enthusiastic participants attended the event for the duration of the day.

Highlight of the Day :

• Chitra Talwar, B.SAFE Program Convener graced the occasion with her presence and commended the volunteers for their efforts.

Outcome:
As a result of incorporating tactile urbanism principles, the park has undergone a lively metamorphosis, evolving into a vibrant center that enthralls visitors. The inclusion of colorful features like the painted Ludo board and sensory walk path has not only boosted the park's allure but also met the recreational desires of children, nurturing an atmosphere of happiness and discovery.This activity promoted active engagement among B.SAFE Ambassadors, CGI volunteers, and residents of Hebbal.