Trans.Inst.Indian Geographers ISSN 0970-9851 Spatial analysis of sidewalks and students’ neighbourhood mobility in metropolitan region

Sumant Sovani, Mumbai,

Abstract One of the important parameters of neighbourhood mobility and pedestrian friendly city life is the availability of good quality sidewalks (footpath). This ensures a hassle free and independent movement. This is particularly true for students in the age group of 10 to 15 years as they walk and move in their very neighbourhood daily for various activities. Availability of better surfaced, clean and continuous sidewalks with ideal width, green cover and walkers’ friendly seating facility is, therefore, a prerequisite of any urban design. The present paper aimed at evaluating the current status of sidewalks in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) from students’ perspectives, along with regional variation, if any. Availability and condition of sidewalks are evaluated by a personal interview of 2085 sample students randomly selected from sample schools spread across MMR through a structured questionnaire. The responses thus received from students were analysed with the help of suitable statistical techniques. The outcome of the research is surprising. Despite being one of the prominent metro city regions of the nation, the overall status of the sidewalk in the Mumbai Metropolitan region is far from satisfactory. A sidewalk has rarely received scarce attention and priority in urban planning. The provision of sidewalks shows a tremendous intracity variation. While some neighbourhood pockets are provided with sidewalks; others show total apathy and ignorance towards it. This paper discusses various measures to be taken to address the basic issue of sidewalks in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Keywords: Sidewalks, urban transport, neighbourhood mobility, sustainability.

Introduction Past Studies Current transport policies in developing Attempts to keep a balance of both MT and nations like favour motorization. NMT are visible. ‘Walkability’ is a term used Even the new townships and planned cities to describe and measure the connectivity and like New Mumbai, Panchkula, NOIDA, quality of walkways, sidewalks (footpaths) OKHLA, Hyderabad and many more such and other pedestrians friendly infrastructure. places are emphasising MT (Motorized The draft strategy for the Philippines Transport) rather than NMT (Non-Motorized states that reserving and reclaiming space Transportation) and pedestrians’ needs. for pedestrian traffic is as important as Achieving sustainable urban mobility in providing lanes for cars (Government of urban India, therefore, remains a distant the Philippines, 2009). Similarly, as per the dream. Traffic and Road Transport Act of Indonesia,

Transactions | Vol. 42, No. 1, 2020 | 105 motorists must give priority to the safety vehicular traffic. It also provides an avenue of pedestrians and bicyclists (Government to social life and ultimately encourages of Indonesia, 2011). Abu Dhabi also has dwellers to go by walk. It is necessary to developed an Urban Street Design Manual see the conditions of sidewalk availability that integrates the concept of the pedestrian along with its quality aspects in study realm into the overall street composition. areas of MMR, particularly from students’ Similarly, the Vision Statement of the City perspective with the assumption that if of Bam in Iran says that they wish to achieve sidewalks are satisfactory for students, it is their collective dream towards the creation satisfactory for the rest of the city dwellers of a child-friendly, peaceful and ecologically as well. efficient city (UNICEF, 2005). There is yet The present study, therefore, aims at another school of thought that advocates measuring the comfort level of mobility sustainable mobility and its essential by assessing the provision of the sidewalks relatedness to NMT. According to this view, available for students to move around in ‘walkability’ provides a foundation, safety, Mumbai and surrounding areas. However, security and comfort for a sustainable city it was also felt that a mere provision of (Battacharyya & Mitra, 2013). sidewalk is not a sufficient parameter unless In India, the Ministry of Urban its relative ranking based on satisfaction of Development (MoUD) used a ‘walkability the end user is tested in comparison with other index’ to study the availability of sidewalks pedestrians friendly urban infrastructure. and a pedestrian facility rating for 30 The present research addresses the basic cities of all sizes. (Government of India, quest to gauge the provision as well as the 2008) Mumbai Metropolitan Region has status of sidewalks as pedestrian friendly more density, better infrastructure and infrastructure for students in their very independent bodies like MMRDA to look neighbourhood. Objectives of the paper after its transportation needs. The city has include 1) evaluating the provision of pedestrian friendly infrastructure such as sidewalks around Secondary schools in sidewalks, road dividers, road crossings, MMR, and 2) measuring the degree of traffic islands, pedestrian signals, skywalks, satisfaction students have about sidewalks subways, better-tiled sidewalk, etc. However, in comparison to other pedestrians friendly students are still not in a position to enjoy urban infrastructure and facilities. the infrastructure independently and their It is expected that the findings of this exposure to neighbourhood is rapidly paper will help improve the pedestrian declining. friendly infrastructure like sidewalks. NGOs can take up the issue of sustainable Research Question and Objective commuting to local bodies and the State The sidewalk is the basic amenity of any Government. NGOs and neighbourhood urban transport system. It separates vigorous community can undertake a drive for usable road traffic from other land use activities. sidewalks across MMR. A good sidewalk protects pedestrians from

106 | Transactions | Vol. 42, No. 1, 2020 Study Area accommodate the daily pedestrian traffic; Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is it must be continuous and evenly levelled carved out from 5 Districts of Maharashtra which shall not compel the pedestrian to step and it has a separate Administrative body up and step down while walking. Anti-skid known as Mumbai Metropolitan Region tiling work must be of good standards and Development Authority (MMRDA). MMR its appearance must be sufficiently attractive comprises two complete districts of ‘Mumbai to encourage the end user. Parameters City District’ and ‘Mumbai Suburban to study the sidewalk are thus endless. District’. The MMR also has a significant From the students’ point of view, detail presence in parts of three other districts discussions with many people ruled out namely Palghar, and Raigad. The certain parameters to be verified from geographical area of MMR is 4,355 km²; it students. For example, it was practically is one of the top ten most populated urban impossible to ask students whether the agglomerations in the world. With almost 43 width of the sidewalk is sufficient, as the years of its existence, it will be appropriate intensity of pedestrian traffic is beyond the to put MMR under scrutiny for its role in the understanding of the students. Similarly, the development of Mumbai and the adjacent questions relating to the tiling of the sidewalk regions. were also out of reach of students, as one cannot expect students to know the basics Any research has limitations of time of tiles or overlaying material. Therefore, and resources. The present study has a very after due deliberations and dialogue, the microscopic and yet significant approach to researcher reached the conclusion that the understanding only one aspect-the provision condition of sidewalks to be verified from and status of sidewalks with reference to students should include only those aspects only one section of society, i.e. the students. which concern them the most. Therefore, In order to delineate the study area which the students were asked to select only one will be manageable, with limited resources of the following options related to sidewalk and time, but without losing the relevance conditions in their neighbourhood. These are of the study, it was decided to focus only on 1) No sidewalk at all 2) Irregular sidewalk the urban pocket of MMR. All Municipal with encroachments 3) Irregular sidewalk Corporations and Councils were, therefore, 4) Continuous but poor quality sidewalk considered as the basic units of study. 5) Continuous, good and wide sidewalk. However, Mumbai city is too large to squeeze in just one study unit. Hence, for Status of Sidewalk and its Parameters Mumbai city, its four administrative talukas were considered as separate study units. Cleanliness, cycle parking, sidewalks, greenery, vehicle parking, pedestrians, Methodology and Sources of Data road crossing, street light, traffic signal, zebra crossing are important pedestrian Condition of the sidewalk and its Parameters friendly facilities and infrastructure. The There are many aspects relevant to the nature sidewalk is just one of these ten facilities. of the sidewalk. It must be wide enough to The status of the sidewalk can be measured

Transactions | Vol. 42, No. 1, 2020 | 107 only based on of students’ ranking based on concentrate only on State Board schools their level of satisfaction to all pedestrian for this study. The main resource/reference friendly infrastructure. Students were asked used to select schools randomly was a to give a score 1 for the best facility; while booklet of about 262 pages published by score 10 is for the very bad facilities in Mumbai Divisional Board of Maharashtra their neighbourhood. This was indirectly State Board of Secondary and Higher students’ preferential voting to the best Secondary Education (Maharashtra State pedestrian friendly infrastructure in their Board, 2013) that gives an exhaustive neighbourhood, including sidewalks. From list of all authorized schools located in this ranking, the hierarchy of pedestrian Mumbai, Greater Mumbai, Thane, Palghar friendly infrastructure was derived in and Raigad districts along with their descending order. addresses and contact numbers. This book covers the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Sampling Methods Region. The sample size increases at a diminishing Steps followed to select sample schools rate and remains relatively constant at and student respondents are given below: slightly more than 380 cases for a million Step 1: Based on the MMR land population (Krejcie & Morgan, 1960). use map, study areas were finalised and In the case of MMR, the total secondary demarcated on the base map as per MMR students’ population of MMR as per the defined urban areas. It was also decided that 2011 Census is nearly 4 million. Therefore, at least two schools will be selected from the ideal sample size could have been 1520 each study unit. However, by default due to school children. In reality, the actual samples the simple random sampling method, more surveyed in the present study across the schools were selected from more populated MMR were 2581. areas. Step 2: Schools were selected from Choosing correct sampling for a the booklet mentioned above by a simple vast and diverse area like MMR was a random sampling method. Such schools difficult task. There are different types were approached with a formal request of schools as well. While most of the letter to conduct the survey. When a school schools are affiliated to Maharashtra State did not give permission, another school was Board, there are also schools affiliated to approached from the same study area from central boards like CBSE (Central Board the booklet. The researcher had personally of Secondary Education), ICSE (Indian visited each and every school surveyed. Certificate for Secondary education), Total schools surveyed included Marathi International General Certificate of Medium 24, English Medium 17 and Urdu Secondary Education and even Business Medium 2. Step 3: Upon reaching the Schools. However, upon close scrutiny, it school, students from a class of standard VI was realised that all types of schools do and one from standard IX were surveyed. not exist in all the study units. In order School authorities, mostly the supervisor to maintain uniformity and for a closer- of the school used to assign the class to-reality observation, it was decided to randomly based on the time table as well

108 | Transactions | Vol. 42, No. 1, 2020 as the school authority’s convenience. All Discussion children in that class present on that day Variation in Availability and Conditions were given the structured questionnaires, of Sidewalk without exception. On an average, students roughly took 35 to 40 minutes to fill-in As mentioned earlier, students were asked the questionnaire. Step 4: All incomplete to select only one of the following options questionnaires were excluded from the related to the availability of sidewalks analysis. Thus, out of 2581 respondents, (footpath) in their neighbourhood: no 2085 questionnaires complete in all respect footpath at all; irregular footpath with were declared fit for data feeding and encroachments; irregular footpath; analysis. continuous but poor quality footpath; continuous, good and wide footpath

Statistical Tools Used First two of the above parameters were considered negative parameters, while In the case of the condition of the sidewalk, 4th and 5th parameters were considered as the responses thus received from students positive parameters about the availability on condition of sidewalks were tabulated of sidewalks. The 3rd parameter as ‘irregular in frequency table separately for each footpath’ was considered as mid-point for study unit, as well as for the entire MMR. the analysis. The frequency of students’ With the help of central tendency, the responses to the above parameters was aggregate weighted score of the students tabulated and further percentages were expressing their satisfaction in percentages calculated for each study unit separately. The about the parameter selected was worked sum of these frequencies and percentages out. Summarising the overall condition were also worked out for the entire MMR. of the sidewalk, the cumulative bar graph Considering the mid-point of the average, was prepared, which helped the researcher the sum of MMR response is presented in to get a collective to portray of sidewalk the form of colour bands, while students’ availability with reference to MMR average response in percentage is presented in a conditions. vertical line graph, imposed over these In the case of the status of sidewalk, the colour bands. rank score given by students for all the ten Graph lines are allowed to swing in facilities was calculated with the help of the proportion to the positive or negative Hare-Clark system of counting preferential inclination of the responses. In other words, scores (Wikipedia, 2015). This enabled this graph is drawn based on cumulative the researcher to measure the best to worst percentages from the midpoint of the pedestrian friendly facilities existing in each irregular footpath. As a result, if the more study unit, as voted by students. students were happy about the availability of The rank score of sidewalks in each sidewalk, the graph line moved northwards; study unit was used to corroborate the and in case the students were not happy observation of the availability of sidewalks about the footpath, or if the footpath was not with its status in each study unit of MMR. at all available, the graph shifted southwards.

Transactions | Vol. 42, No. 1, 2020 | 109 This very arrangement is giving the variation up with the standards of Mumbai City even in the nature and quality of footpath in each for the basic facility of sidewalks. These study unit on the backdrop of the conditions areas could neither come out from their of availability of sidewalks in MMR (Fig. 1). subdued suburban psych; nor could these Fig. 1 showing the availability and areas uplift themselves at par with other peer condition of sidewalks the shows an municipal corporations. interesting variation. In a region surrounded The poor performance of , Pen, and by the city, none other than Mumbai reveals Alibaug is understandable as the momentum that the majority of the MMR areas do not of urbanisation is relatively recent there. have the basic facility like sidewalks of Sidewalks with encroachments a standard quality, which urban dwellers constituted a very large proportion of all seek. Only 8 study units out of 19 just touch the sidewalks as reported by the students. or cross the MMR average line of good It appears to be a general trend but it is also sidewalks. When the trend of the condition indicative that the sidewalk, which is the of sidewalks was placed on the MMR map, basic need of any pedestrian is not provided it reveals a very worrisome trend. Three uniformly throughout the MMR. Its overall talukas of Mumbai City and emerging quality and maintenance across MMR are municipal corporations like -, also not at par. Mira-Bhaynder, Navi-Mumbai, and Panvel indicate that these areas have sidewalks even better than MMR average (Fig.2). It Variation in Status of Sidewalk and Degree also indicates that comparatively, areas well of Students’ Satisfaction connected with Mumbai both by railways There are many pedestrian friendly facilities as well as highways show a better sign of required for the convenience of city dwellers. development even in terms of pedestrian The question was not about their availability. friendly facilities. Mira-Bhayander and Local bodies have anyway made attempts Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporations are well to make those facilities available, albeit connected by western railways as well as with varying degrees of success. The located on Mumbai-Ahemadabad national question was of their quality and utility. highway. The story for Thane, New-Mumbai, Therefore, as mentioned earlier, students and Panvel is the same as these corporations were asked to give a rank from 1 to 10 in are well connected by railways as well as descending order based on their degree of located on Mumbai- expressway. This satisfaction for following pedestrian friendly is a classic example of the greater influence facilities: cleanliness, cycle parking, footpath of proximity to Mumbai city. (Sidewalks), greenery, vehicle parking, In sharp contrast, -Nizampur, pedestrians’ companion, road crossing, street -Dombivali, , Ambernath, light, traffic signal, zebra crossing. situated in the suburban areas of This was aimed at assessing students’ Mumbai city and certainly have the legacy of voting in descending order to the best service old Municipal Councils and later elevated to related to the pedestrian friendly facility in Municipal corporations are unable to catch- their neighbourhood. On the basis of ranking

110 | Transactions | Vol. 42, No. 1, 2020 Fig. 1 Availability and Condition of Footpath

Fig.2 MMR: Conditions of Sidewalks

Transactions | Vol. 42, No. 1, 2020 | 111 Table 1. Study Area-wise Consolidated Hierarchy of Pedestrian Friendly Facilities

Table 2: Facility Specific Count of Ranking in entire MMR

112 | Transactions | Vol. 42, No. 1, 2020 given by students, facilities’ hierarchy of and actual utility. Table 1 is specific to study- order (Ranking) was measured as per the units and primarily focuses on the variations Hare-Clark system of counting preferential and pattern of pedestrian friendly facilities. score. From this ranking, a hierarchy of However, there is also a need to see the services was derived separately for each facility specific pattern of ranking (Table 2). study area. This consolidated hierarchy is Table 2 gives the number of occurrences shown in Table 1. of a specific rank appearing at a specific time In order to get a better visual impact for each facility. This table is for the entire as well as for better understanding and MMR. Out of 19 study units of the present interpretation, these facilities were given research, e.g., Cleanliness has secured 1st a colour code; and the emerging trend is rank in four study units; 2nd rank in seven quite revealing. Significantly, facilities study units and the 3rd rank in five study units. like greenery, street light, and overall This means 16 study units out of 19 study cleanliness occupied the top three ranks units gave cleanliness 1st, 2nd, or 3rd rank. across MMR. However, this pattern also This is a positive trend in the concentration shows some important variations. Emerging of facilities. However, it shows a negative Municipal areas like Mire-Bhayander, side as well. Sidewalks as a facility lie Vasai-Virar, Thane, and somewhere between 4th and 8th ranking. In even Bhiwandi-Nizampur are better with only 3 study units, students give 3rd rank to regard to the provision of streetlights. sidewalk facility whereas in the remaining On the other hand, peripheral Municipal 16 study units they express their absolute areas are rated higher as far as greenery is displeasure about sidewalks facility. concerned. This is understandable as most of these peripheral municipal areas are a Summary and Conclusion part of either coastal plains or have foothill It appears to be a general trend and indicative locations. This peripheral region is also a of gross negligence and casual approach catchment of many rivers of MMR and thus by all Corporations and Councils towards providing a good green cover. Cleanliness making the provision and maintenance of does not display any specific pattern, but sidewalk which by any account is an absolute its presence in all study units in the slot of necessity for better urban quality of life. the top three facilities speaks about overall Encroachment of the sidewalks is a serious neighbourhood conditions. problem that requires urgent attention from Pedestrian friendly facilities from the civic authorities. Most of the sidewalks students’ point of view seem to be lacking are converted into ‘Food Park’ or into a in most parameters studied. Students across roadside market. The sidewalk is a basic MMR have not listed footpath (sidewalks) requirement of every city area but it is best it in the first three ranks. It is appropriate seen only in selected, better-off residential to clarify at this stage that the availability areas, commercial hubs and areas around of facilities is different from their ranking. power centres like important government Sidewalks as a facility are not absent from and corporate offices leaving the common MMR, but it is too poor in terms of its quality public, pedestrians- particularly the students-

Transactions | Vol. 42, No. 1, 2020 | 113 deprived of a basic right to space and quality Government of Indonesia. (2011). Traffic and of life. This issue needs urgent attention Road Transport Act of Indonesia (Act and remedy as the common people have 22/2009 (Article 106 [2]). Department of the first right to roads in any democratic Traffic and Road Transport ,Government of Indonesia. Retrieved March 06th, country. The study raises important questions 2016, from http://www.scribd.com/ pertaining to peoples’ right to urban space doc/100587986/Law-no-22-year-2009-on- and its reclamation for the needy and the less Road-Traffic#scribd privileged sections as equal citizens. Government of the Philippines. (2009). In order to improve the mobility comfort Formulation of a National Environmentally of students as well as other city dwellers, Sustainable Transport Strategy for local authorities must understand that the the Philippines. Manila: Department sidewalk is close to the heart of every of Transportation and Communication, Government of the Philippines. citizen. It is a barometer of the city’s social and environmental health. It is the Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). reason and the result of the very city life. Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and psychological Improving conditions of the sidewalk, measurement, 30(3), 607-610. keeping sidewalk approachable, clean and free from encroachments with green cover Leather, J., Fabian, H., & Gota, S. (2011). Walkability and pedestrian facilities in (trees) will enhance the overall ambiance of Asian cities state and issues. https:// the neighbourhood. Civic authorities have openaccess.adb.org/handle/11540/1408 a duty and responsibility to make the city Maharashtra State Board. (2013). The list of people friendly and improving the sidewalks Authorised Schools in Thane, Raigad, constitute an important urgent task as well Mumbai and Greater Mumbai. Navi as a challenge. Mumbai: Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, End Note: is a designated urban Mumbai Divisional Board. area of MMR. However, it is Asia’s only UNICEF. (2005). Child Friendly Cities: A automobile free town and a hill station. progress report on the CFC Initiative in All citizens, including tourists, have to Bam, Iran. UNICEF Iran Information Series. compulsorily walk. Mobility issues under discussion are not applicable and hence, Wikipedia. (2015). (https://en.wikipedia.org/ Matheranis has been excluded from this wiki/Ranked_voting_system). Retrieved July 31, 2015, from (https://en.wikipedia. research as an outlier. org/wiki/Ranked_voting_system)

References: Sumant Sovani Bhattacharyya, D. B., & Mitra, S. (2013). Making Associate Professor, Siliguri a walkable city. Procedia-social and KES Shroff College of Arts & Commerce, behavioral sciences, 96, 2737-2744. Bhulabhai Desai Road, (W), Mumbai 400067 Government of India. (2008). Government of Email: [email protected] India, MoUD 2008. Ministry of Urban Development. New Delhi: MoUD.

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