“Reimagining Urban Corridors: From Rigid Infrastructure to Inclusive Green Networks”
“Urban environments today face critical challenges—population growth, rapid urbanization, and the fragmentation of ecological systems. As cities evolve, their rigid infrastructure often alienates natural systems and creates barriers to inclusivity and sustainability. This thesis focuses on reconceptualizing rigid urban environments by integrating transportation and ecological corridors, aiming to develop urban spaces that cater to human and non-human needs alike. Using Bangalore as a case study, this research seeks to explore how reimagining urban streets and corridors can connect fragmented green spaces, improve ecological connectivity, and create inclusive and sustainable urban solutions.”
Bangalore’s evolution from its establishment as a town in 1537 to the formation of its municipality in 1941 and its subsequent growth as an urban agglomeration highlights a distinct pattern of expansion. Initially, the city developed with a single central nucleus surrounded by urban fabric. Over time, as the city expanded, multiple secondary cores emerged, surrounded by peri-urban areas and suburban zones, reflecting a polycentric urban growth model. This shift from a single-core structure to a network of interconnected hubs illustrates the changing dynamics of urban development in Bangalore.
Bengaluru’s urbanised area has expanded by a staggering 1055% since 1973, from a mere 8% to 93.3% in 2023. Consequently, there has been an 88% reduction in vegetation. Presently, Bengaluru has only 1.5 million trees for a population of 9.5 million, equating to just one tree for every seven individuals.
Bangalore’s 14,000 km road network: Only 2% accommodates green cover.
Fragmentation Impact: The road network divides ecosystems, disrupting wildlife and reducing green connectivity. Urban Sprawl: Lakes and parks have been encroached upon to accommodate roads and urban development. Opportunities for Intervention: Retrofitting road networks with green bridges and underpasses for ecological connectivity.
“Urban green fragmentation is not just an environmental concern but a multidimensional issue affecting human well-being, biodiversity, and urban sustainability. Addressing these impacts requires reimagining green and transportation networks as interconnected systems.”
Bangalore’s policies and upcoming projects provide a strong foundation for integrating transportation and ecological corridors, validating the thesis’s vision of urban corridors as a sustainable solution to rapid urbanization and green fragmentation.”
Alignment with Thesis Claims
- Green Connectivity:
- Policies and projects advocate for preserving and enhancing green spaces, creating the foundation for ecological corridors.
- Transport-Environment Nexus:
- Infrastructure projects like suburban rail and elevated corridors align with the thesis’s focus on reducing congestion and promoting inclusivity.
- Sustainability Goals:
- Emphasis on lake rejuvenation and biodiversity aligns with reducing green fragmentation and enhancing non-human connectivity.
Through strategic interventions in existing infrastructure, cities can enhance inclusivity, ecological health, and accessibility, transforming Bangalore’s rigid infrastructure into green, people-oriented corridors.
