editorialsUpdated: Jun 11, 2020 19:18 ISTIn an advisory released on Wednesday, the Union housing and urban affairs ministry asked state governments to redesign public spaces so that they are more suited for pedestrians, walkers and cyclers. This push to rehaul the nation’s congested public spaces was sparked by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), which has demonstrated that overcrowded cities and mass transport systems can lead to galloping infection rates. The cholera epidemics in the 19th century led to the introduction of modern urban sanitation systems in Europe. Also, urban policy must recognise migrants as a legitimate constituency, with equal entitlement to public provisioning and services. India — with its population, diverse planning needs and competition for limited financial, technological and data resources — will not find this to be easy.

Source: Hindustan Times June 11, 2020 13:49 UTC