Smart City Street Design (PCMC)

SMART CITY STREET DESIGN-PCMC

Street for People (Live Project)

Pune, Maharashtra, India

Semester-VI 2021

Team: Pratibha, Tanya, Ishika, Preeti, Harsh

In the evolving urban landscape of Pimpri-Chinchwad, public infrastructure is no longer just functional; it’s becoming humane, inclusive, and emotionally resonant. Under the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Smart City initiative, two critical interventions — “Emanate” Bus Stop Design and the “Street for People” Revitalization plan — have demonstrated how design thinking can address both the infrastructural needs and cultural aspirations of a growing urban population.

What connects both projects is a people-first approach, where transit, pause, and pedestrian flows are designed as opportunities for interaction and regeneration. This is urban acupuncture at work: precise, strategic design punctuations that relieve pressure points and restore vibrancy. Accessibility for all (universal design principles), Contextual materiality (use of local resources and climate responsiveness), Community expression (murals, sculpture, landscape inserts), Sustainability (stormwater management, greenery, reduced heat gain).

In a time when cities are racing toward technological advancement, these proposals remind us that urbanism must stay rooted in civic empathy. Whether it’s through the shade of a native tree at a bus stop or a public square that tells forgotten stories, architecture becomes meaningful when it serves not just people, but their lived experiences. These Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation interventions are not just blueprints; they are manifestos for change, authored by me and my team , who see cities as shared canvases.

01 | EMANATE: The Eco-Conscious Bus Stop

The Emanate project explores the transformation of a simple urban element, "a bus stop" into a multifunctional community node. Deriving its name from the idea of ‘emerging from the earth’, this design focuses on eco-friendliness, contextual aesthetics, and social functionality. The design development revolves around locally sourced materials, passive cooling techniques, and participatory spaces such as mosaic seating, vertical green walls and bamboo column.

Key features:

-Tuff Roof Panels and locally available stone integrate with the landscape

-Murals on bus interiors and exteriors celebrate local narratives

-Public toilets and green landscaping improve street functionality and hygiene

-Use of locally available bamboo as a supporting member

The rendered views simulate diverse timeframes, morning to night, capturing how the space morphs under changing light, seasons, and usage. Through tactile design and cultural detailing, the bus stop is no longer a waiting area, but a breathing space in the city fabric.

02 | STREET FOR PEOPLE: Tilak Road Reimagined

As part of the “Streets for People” challenge by Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, the proposal redefines Tilak Road in Nigdi as a vibrant, safe, and inclusive public corridor. Designed the project to reclaim the road for pedestrians, cyclists, vendors, and communities of all age groups.

Key features:

-Pocket parking, ramp access, cycle lanes, and seating zones

-Street lighting, urban art, and interactive installations that narrate the stories of freedom fighters from Maharashtra

-Rainwater harvesting, tree cover enhancement, and open gyms for ecological and social upliftment

Render visuals illustrate a balanced blend of vehicular movement and pedestrian-first zones, demonstrating a shift from car-centric to people-centric planning. Day and night renders show a lively street alive with play, conversation, culture, and commerce.