Reclaiming city’s lost public spaces – Times of India

My dream for the public spaces in Chennai is that we embrace rather than turn our backs on them, says Kavitha Selvaraj, founder CityWorks. For the last six years, Anna University and Harvard graduate has been working with the Greater Chennai Corporation to redesign roads and neighbourhoods with a more peoplecentric view. “We want the streets to be for all, the young, old, and physically challenged. Roads are otherwise designed only keeping vehicles in mind,” says Kavitha.
Towards that end, Kavitha and team were responsible for creating the inclusive public park at San Thome, which even children who are physically and mentally challenged can enjoy. “San Thome was a success and now the Corporation has commissioned two more,” she says.
Safe continuous footpaths for walking, segregated cycle tracks, frequent grade crossings, conveniently placed bus stops… it’s all part of the plan for a people-centric city, says Kavitha. “Why can’t all streets be accessible, all parks inclusive?” says Kavitha, who is also working with several government departments on a project to beautify the water’s edge at Canal Bank Road. So, in a couple of years, when you walk by the shimmering water’s edge, well, you know the hands that helped.