Munambam Muziris Beach
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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 | H B K O C H I , I N D I A Munambam Muziris Beach STREET, MARKET AND OPEN PUBLIC SPACES IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS Promoting environment-friendly livable cities in India. The health of the Indian population is greatly affected by the state of Promitso tciintige se.n Avisr Ionndmiae tnrtie-sfr tioe ntadclkyl eli vmaabjloer cpirtioebsl einm Isn sduicah. Wase c wlimanate happcyh aanngde ,h neoanlt-hcyo mchmiludnreicna balned d fisaemasileise,s r iona de vsearfeyy n, ewiagthebro rhood who havep soallfuet isotnre, entosi,s fer peoe laluctcioesns a tnod p aair kpso, lplultaiyognr, oeunnsudrsi,n ogp ceinti essp aarcee and fun plilvaacbelse tiso cprliatiyc aalrloy uimndp.ortant. Munambam Muziris Beach Munambam Muziris Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Vypin Island. It is the focal point of the Periyar River and the Arabian Sea and is one of the most beautiful places to enjoy the sunset in the region. The beach has also been gifted with natural green spaces that provide shade for resting and places for children to play. However, the beach has received much less attention from the authorities than the busier Cherai Beach located three kilometres away. And, local residents who are living with disabilities were unable to use the space because there were no facilities that would allow them to access the beach. Through ESAF’s advocacy and expertise in redesigning public spaces as inclusive play spaces, the Munambam Muziris Beach project worked towards making the beach more functional and inclusive for all people irrespective of their gender, age and ability so that they all could enjoy the beach as they would any other public space. We wanted to develop a barrier-free model beach that could be replicated elsewhere and that would promote beach tourism and promote more livelihood opportunities for the local community. In addition, we wanted to promote and encourage the use of accessible and barrier-free designs in the development of public spaces throughout Kerala. 0 4 | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 • K O C H I BEFORE INTERVENTION The beach did not have any infrastructure that would permit people living with disabilities and using mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, to access the beach. So, we focused on adding a much needed ramp to the beach, which can be used by anyone with or without a mobility device. The project followed a participatory approach by involving local residents in the initiative from the beginning. F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 • K O C H I | 0 5 Community engagement, capacity building and The project infrastructure change strategies were used to achieve our objectives. followed a Activities included: participatory ·1 Minecraft workshop with 42 members of the community participating including 12 children, 13 approach by women, 4 men, and 2 people living with disabilities. In addition, 8 elected officials attended, which involving local provided a great opportunity to model a community engagement approach. At the residents from the Minecraft workshop the residents used the program to develop the designs for the entire beginning. beach, which included improvements to the playground, creation of a sports area, and improvements for people living with disabilities. 0 6 | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 • K O C H I 12 meetings with approximately 234 participants including children, children living with disabilities, adults, and the elderly. The purpose of many of these meetings was to create an understanding among the community about the importance of public space, the need for beaches to be inclusive for people living with disabilities and the overall project. In total we made 5 improvements and organized four events for the community to participate in the changes to the park including a beach cleanup day, a Beach for All celebration, and a World Disability Day celebration with 219 participants total. Volunteers contributed 1564 hours of time to the project. M inecraft was used to design beach improvements. Engagement and great design ideas happened at the Minecraft Workshop. F E B R A U R Y 2 0 1 9 • K O C H I | 0 7 We inaugurated the I n f r a s t r u c t u r e C h a n g e s beach with 86 1 barrier-free ramp built 3 graffiti walls painted participants including 11 trash bins added local residents, people 1 entry way made barrier-free 1 barrier-free toilet built living with disabilities elected officials, government officials, and the media. 0 8 | K O C H I • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 Infrastructure Changes 1 SENSORY WALL 1 SAFE SWING 1 PLATF1O RRAMM SPWING 1 4 | D H A K A • N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8 2 SAND PITS 1 MULTI-PLAYHOUSE 1 RAMP (SIDE VIEW) 1 GATE (BAR REMOVED) 1 SENSORY WALL 1 SAFE SWING 1 PL1A1 TTFROARSMH SBIWNISNG 1 4 | D H A K A • N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8 2 SAND PITS 1 MULTI-PLAYHOUSE 1 BARRIER-FREE TOILET 3 GRAFFITI WALLS Our Results As a result of adding the barrier-free ramp, we in the community mobilized $2000 CAD (100, 000 have now created accessibility to the beach for INR) to level the area and develop a play space for those living with disabilities. Many people have themselves. started using the space in the night for the first time. In addition,this space was never visited by In addition, our project is going to have a much tourists though it was very close to other beaches larger impact on accessibility in the District. KSIE, in the stretch. After the inauguration, many the contracting agency for developing three more tourists have started visiting this beach as well. beaches in the District, has agreed to change the designs in those three beaches to make them It has also been reported that business activities barrier-free. The budget allocated for these three have increased after the inauguration, which beaches is $85,000 CAD (4.4 Million INR). Barrier- indirectly improved the livelihood of the free walkways and toilets will be added to the community. The community, especially youth, have existing plans for beach development, which is an started taking initiatives to develop amenities in important contribution to accessibility. the beach to make it suitable for sports. The youth Befo re After Users of space Intervention Intervention per day # of people total 52 397 # of children with disabilities 0 28 # of children under age 8 3 16 # of youth (9 to 18) 24 122 #adults with disabilities 0 22 # of elderly 5 60 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 - K O C H I | 1 1 .