Walking Ganeshkhind: Trees, Mobility and Urban Design
How can cities improve mobility without sacrificing the trees that make them livable?
In Arcause Spotlight-Pune Edition, Let us join Parisar for a guided walk along Ganeshkhind Road, one of Pune’s most important urban corridors, to explore the relationship between street design, sustainable mobility, and urban tree conservation.
This walk explores the relationship between urban mobility, street design and Pune’s urban tree cover through the case of Ganeshkhind Road. As one of Pune’s most significant corridors, Ganeshkhind Road serves educational institutions, research centres, government offices, residential neighbourhoods and Metro infrastructure. At the same time, it is home to hundreds of mature trees that provide shade, reduce urban heat, improve air quality, support biodiversity and make walking and cycling more comfortable.
The walk presents an alternative vision for road design, one that accommodates mobility needs of all road users while preserving existing trees. Using Ganeshkhind Road as a live case study, participants will explore how streets can be designed around trees rather than treating them as obstacles to development. The walk will encourage participants to think critically about urban infrastructure projects and the role of citizens in shaping more sustainable and people-friendly cities.
Aim
Parisar has been actively involved in designing alternatives to the road widening project planned on the Ganeshkhind Road. So, through this walk, participants will learn about the history of the road as well as the project, the decision-making process related to road design and tree governance, the ecological and social value of the existing trees, and the alternative street design proposed by Parisar.
Participants will be guided through key locations along the corridor to understand how road space is currently allocated, where conflicts arise, and how design interventions can preserve trees while improving mobility for all users.
The walk will also introduce participants to the broader issues of urban heat, biodiversity, tree governance and citizen participation in urban planning processes.
By the end of the session, participants will gain:
- An understanding of the Ganeshkhind Road project and its implications.
- Insights into how street design can be reimagined to protect mature trees.
- Knowledge of tree governance and public participation mechanisms.
- Practical tools to observe, document and advocate for sustainable street design in their own neighbourhoods.
Parisar
An NGO working in the field of environmental awareness, education and action
Meet the Expert
Parisar is a Pune-based civil society organisation working on environmental awareness, education and action since the early 1980s. Over the last two decades, Parisar has increasingly focused on sustainable urban transport, recognising that the way we move through cities shapes people’s quality of life.
Today, Parisar works on urban mobility, air quality, road safety, urban planning and design, plastic reduction and reuse, and heritage conservation.
Through research, policy and public engagement, and stakeholder collaboration, Parisar works to support more liveable, equitable and healthy cities where it is easy, safe and comfortable to walk, cycle and use public transport.
Workshop Structure
Introduction (15 minutes)
- Welcome and participant introductions.
- Overview of Ganeshkhind Road and the proposed widening project.
- Setting the context of urban trees and mobility.
Guided Walk and Site Observations (60 minutes)
- Walk along selected sections of Ganeshkhind Road.
- Identification of significant trees and their role in the streetscape.
- Discussion on road design, right-of-way allocation and alternative design possibilities.
- Observation of pedestrian, cycling and public transport infrastructure.
Understanding Tree Governance and Citizen Action (25 minutes)
- Discussion on the tree authority process, permissions and public consultation mechanisms.
- Examination of how citizens have engaged with the project and submitted objections.
- Reflection on the role of public participation in shaping urban infrastructure projects.
Interactive Mapping and Closing Discussion (20 minutes)
- Participants document and map selected trees and street features.
- Group discussion on key observations and learnings.
- Reflection on how participants can contribute to protecting urban trees and promoting sustainable mobility.
Things to carry: Water bottle, umbrella or raincoat.
Date : 18th July & 19th July
Day : Saturday and Sunday
Time : 8.00 – 9.30 am
Join the Walk
Come experience Ganeshkhind Road from a different perspective and discover how thoughtful street design can create cities that are greener, cooler, and more inclusive for everyone.
Register now and walk with us under the trees!
To know more about Parisar: contactus@parisar.org
