Participatory road design proposed for Bogadi Road junction

A participatory road design for the busy Bogadi Road junction in the City developed by Mysuru School of Architecture (MSA) in consultation with civil society groups, residents and Greenpeace India among others has been proposed to Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) authorities.

The participatory road design called Samavesha reflects months of citizen engagement through imaginariums, accessibility audits, community workshops, “where everyday commuters collectively imagined how the junction can be more safer, more walkable and accessible for everyone,” said a press statement by Greenpeace India.

The design recommendations were shared with the reporters at a press conference held on Sunday, ahead of the authorities plans to begin white-topping of the Bogadi Road stretch.

The community members comprising citizens’ groups, disability rights’ groups, faculty of All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), residents, parents, caregivers and students also painted zebra crossing and empathy line markings on Bogadi Road stretch to reflect people’s design inputs that prioritised safety and dignity.

The empathy line visually marks the space people with disabilities and pedestrians need to move safely and comfortably, reflecting the community’s call for streets designed with safety and dignity in mind, the statement said.

“Bogadi Road is at a turning point. As the city prepares for white-topping, this is a critical and important opportunity to integrate people-led design ideas like safe crossings, accessible footpaths, and clear signage into the white topping plan. What people have designed here is practical, affordable, and rooted in lived realities,” said Selomi Garnaik, climate and energy campaigner at Greenpeace India.

The participatory design recommendations underscores the urgent need for scientifically designed traffic calming measures, covering of the open drains alongside the footpath, installation of railings on footpaths, empathy line markings, shifting of barricades obstructing movements, visually enhanced zebra markings, continuous and obstruction-free footpaths, ramps, tactile paving, clear signage into the engineering plan of white topping work, said the statement.

 “This work on Bogadi Road demonstrates how architecture and planning can meaningfully respond to people’s everyday needs when communities are part of the design process. The participatory audits and imaginariums helped translate lived experiences into practical design solutions. Bogadi Road now stands as an important example of how people-centric street design can be developed, and it offers a model that other cities can learn from,” said Dr. Champa, Director and Dean, MSA.

“Mysuru has always taken pride in its heritage and civic values. A truly progressive city is one where streets are designed for seamless movement of wheelchairs, strollers and bicycles can move safely alongside everyone else. If our streets can provide support for the most vulnerable users, they will work for everyone.” said B. S. Ramakrishna Mudre, Hon. Director, Palliative Care, Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement Mysore and Imaginarium participant.