‘Reimagining Fort Kochi’ Project Wins TUMI Grant for Year 2019-20

The Fort Kochi island is an important tourist hub in the southern state of Kerala and is accessed by different public (boat, buses, autos etc) modes of transport. However, rapid urbanization and the consequent increase in population and inflow of private vehicles has led to congestion and degradation of street infrastructure and deterioration of public spaces, which have cumulatively impacted livability in the area. Poor non-motorized conditions and lack of basics amenities has led to underutilization of heritage, streets & public spaces.

The 2019 TUMI Global Urban Mobility Challenge, led by GIZ and sponsored by BMZ is an initiative to support local leaders in their mobility transformation efforts. WRI India in collaboration with KMC (Kochi Municipal Corporation) pitched the ‘Reimagining Fort Kochi’ Project and has been shortlisted among the top 10 projects around the world as a part of TUMI challenge.

The projects aims to re-imagine Fort Kochi as a livable historic core of Kochi city through enhanced walkable conditions and active public spaces. This will be achieved by developing a web of non motorized network (for locals and tourists) linking the water and bus terminal to the public spaces and heritage elements of Fort Kochi.

This will be achieved through 3 main components:

• Public space improvements

• Tactical Urbanism Projects

• Way finding signage

A set of minimal but impactful and smart interventions have the potential to create a substantial impact on the street networks and public spaces in the area, in turn, impacting the quality of life and well-being of residents and visitors.

The project once implemented will help in multi-modal integration through improved street networks and thereby enhanced walkability and mobility in the area. It will also benchmark the street design standards for the city and other cities with similar context.