The charm of Old Nagpur lies in its narrow lanes, historical structures, and markets. Yet, for all its character, the area grapples with congestion, unregulated development, and a lack of modern civic amenities.
It is a space where the past and present collide, often in a chaotic manner.
The question is, can a city so deeply rooted in its history evolve into a better-planned civic area without losing its essence?
Perhaps the answer lies in learning from cities that have successfully preserved their heritage while modernising their infrastructure.
Integrating Order Without Erasing Identity
The challenge is to introduce order without stripping away the identity that makes these areas unique. A structured approach may ensure that spaces remain functional and appealing while preserving their heritage.
One such area that may benefit from structured pedestrianisation is Mahal, home to the city’s oldest markets and temples.
Streets here are often packed with hawkers, two-wheelers, and pedestrians, making navigation difficult.
A well-planned approach may involve restricting vehicular movement in certain lanes during peak hours, as seen in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, where select streets allow only foot traffic.
This may improve accessibility while boosting business for small vendors, as pedestrian-friendly zones often encourage more footfall. Installing aesthetically designed bollards to demarcate pedestrian areas may ensure clarity without affecting the overall look of the space.
Another potential intervention could be in Gandhibagh Market, where heritage structures exist alongside unplanned modern developments.
Jaipur’s old city is an excellent example of how commercial zones can be regulated without affecting trade. Here, shop owners are encouraged to maintain uniform facades, ensuring visual harmony.
If Gandhibagh’s shopfronts followed a similar principle, with incentives for traders to adopt heritage-style signage and exteriors, the market may retain its old-world charm while offering a more visually cohesive shopping experience.
Additionally, creating designated vending areas may prevent stalls from spilling onto the roads, easing movement for both pedestrians and vehicles.
Another key location that may benefit from better planning is Itwari, one of the oldest commercial hubs in Nagpur. The narrow lanes here are filled with wholesale traders, making deliveries a logistical nightmare.
A structured system, similar to how Mumbai’s Crawford Market manages deliveries, may help. If specific delivery hours were allocated and designated unloading bays introduced, congestion may reduce significantly.
This may also prevent trucks from blocking main roads, ensuring smoother traffic flow. Additionally, introducing smaller electric carts for last-mile delivery may help traders while keeping pollution levels in check.
Another consideration is Kotwali Chowk, an area with immense historical significance but now overwhelmed by unregulated parking and informal businesses. Prague’s Old Town Square serves as a great reference point here, by designating clear zones for vendors and placing underground utilities, they have retained the historic ambience while improving functionality. In Kotwali Chowk, creating an organised vending space while ensuring better traffic management may improve the experience for both locals and visitors.
A subtle yet effective way to maintain Old Nagpur’s identity while introducing order may be through heritage street lighting and signboards. In Kolkata’s Dalhousie Square, colonial-era lamps and nameplates were reintroduced to bring back the historical essence of the area. Implementing similar design elements in areas like Mahal and Gandhibagh may enhance their character while subtly reinforcing the city's cultural heritage.
Managing Traffic and Public Spaces for Better Flow
One of the biggest hurdles in Old Nagpur is traffic. Streets built centuries ago were never meant for modern vehicular movement, yet they now bear the brunt of thousands of vehicles daily.
In Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district, a tram system runs through the old city without compromising its heritage.
Introducing small electric buses or trams in Old Nagpur may reduce dependence on private vehicles while keeping pollution in check.
Another approach may be to repurpose underutilised spaces for parking, easing roadside congestion.
In cities like Tokyo, multi-level parking towers ensure that valuable land is not wasted. Similar compact parking solutions may free up the main roads in Old Nagpur, making movement smoother.
Furthermore, a regulation that limits vehicle entry during specific hours, like in parts of London’s Covent Garden, may bring relief to pedestrians.
Revamping public spaces is another aspect that may transform Old Nagpur. In Ahmedabad’s old city, a public plaza was created by reclaiming encroached land, offering locals a place to gather while improving aesthetics.
Converting abandoned or dilapidated structures into community spaces may not only enhance visual appeal but also encourage social engagement.
If an old building in Nagpur’s Itwari or Mahal areas were to be turned into a shaded public square with seating and greenery, it may offer respite to shoppers and workers alike.
Preserving Heritage While Encouraging Modernisation
Old cities thrive when their past is respected but not frozen in time. In Rome, modern infrastructure blends seamlessly with ancient ruins, and in Paris, heritage buildings coexist with contemporary urban life.
Nagpur’s historic core may benefit from similar policies that allow conservation and progress to move together.
Strict zoning laws can prevent reckless construction, ensuring that new developments respect the scale and style of existing buildings.
At the same time, technology may be incorporated to improve civic management. In Varanasi, where centuries-old ghats were once chaotic, a digital mapping initiative helped organise vendors and allocate space efficiently.
If Old Nagpur implemented a similar system, authorities may better manage street markets without resorting to forced evictions. Markets like Cotton Market or Gandhibagh may be structured more efficiently with dedicated vending zones, ensuring that both traders and pedestrians benefit.
Heritage tourism is another avenue that may be tapped into. Cities like Prague and Kyoto have successfully turned their historical districts into well-regulated tourist attractions while maintaining everyday life for residents.
If guided heritage walks, cultural festivals, and interactive museums were introduced in Old Nagpur, visitors may gain a deeper appreciation of its history while boosting local businesses.
The Bohra Masjid, Tekdi Ganesh Temple, and various colonial-era buildings may be part of curated experiences, ensuring that heritage sites are not just forgotten landmarks but active contributors to the city’s economy.
Encouraging Sustainable Growth Without Overburdening Locals
Development should not come at the cost of those who have lived in Old Nagpur for generations.
In Medellín, Colombia, once-neglected neighbourhoods were uplifted through community-driven projects rather than external interventions.
If local stakeholders in Old Nagpur were actively involved in redevelopment plans, changes can be more sustainable and widely accepted.
Basic infrastructure like waste management and drainage systems can also see improvement without major structural overhauls.
In Indore, a waste segregation programme helped clean up its old city without displacing businesses or residents.
If Old Nagpur adopted a similar initiative, garbage disposal may become more efficient, reducing pollution and improving overall hygiene.
Affordable housing schemes may also be introduced to prevent gentrification. In Mumbai’s Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment, housing for existing residents was planned alongside commercial revitalisation, ensuring that people were not pushed out of their own neighbourhoods. If Old Nagpur followed this model, development may not come at the cost of displacement.
Old Nagpur holds a unique place in the city’s history and identity.
Transforming it into a well-planned civic area may not require sweeping demolitions or drastic changes but rather thoughtful interventions that respect its character.
By learning from cities that have successfully balanced heritage and modernisation, Nagpur may create a space where tradition and progress work hand in hand.
The future of Old Nagpur may be one where its streets are walkable, its heritage is celebrated, and its civic structure is as robust as its history.
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