Historically, Bhubaneswar has challenges to balance dense urban growth with the need for accessible heritage. The city introduced zoning incentives, allowing preservation of heritage areas and publicly accessible areas.
Public spaces are critical to fostering heritage, especially in a city as dense as Bhubaneswar, because they serve as meeting points, social spaces, and even cultural hubs. Simply put, public spaces serve as vein in the city’s urban fabric, linking neighbourhoods and heritage to help in gatherings outside their homes or workplaces.
Building bylaws have been instrumental in shaping Bhubaneswar’s public spaces. Over the years, development plans aid the foundation, and subsequent reforms improved usability and inclusivity. The city learned that it’s not just about creating spaces but ensuring they are well designed and actively used. The result — Bhubaneswar now prioritises seating, greenery and programming that encourages people to stay and interact around heritage places.
One key change has been to ensure that these public spaces are accessible to all. In some cases, developers had created plazas that, while technically public, did little to invite people in. New regulations set clearer requirements for seating, shade, and pedestrian flow to ensure that public spaces genuinely function as public amenities.
Collaboration between the city, private developers, and the community has been key to success that Bhubaneswar learned while hosting Men’s Hockey World Cup and non-profits help maintain and activate these spaces. Public-private partnerships are essential in keeping these spaces vibrant. Developers provide the infrastructure, but it’s the community that gives these spaces life. The best public spaces are those where people feel a sense of ownership and belonging. That’s why community engagement is so important in the planning and design process.
One of the most notable projects was Ekmata Kshetra transformation that brought public spaces into life, by turning congested street into vibrant plaza. What was once a chaotic thoroughfare dominated by vehicles has now become a bustling pedestrian-friendly space with seating, performance areas, and increased safety for residents and tourists alike.
The transformation of Old Town is a perfect example of how public space can be reclaimed for people. It wasn’t an easy decision at the time, but now it’s one of the most successful examples of reviving public spaces and pedestrianisation in urban planning. This urban transformation of the city’s heritage has not only become a cultural icon but also spurred economic growth in surrounding areas.
Beyond large-scale transformations of old towns, smaller interventions are also making a difference. Initiatives like Open Streets, which close certain roads to traffic at designated times, have provided much-needed recreational space throughout the year across Bhubaneswar.
The Ekmara Kshetra experience forced the city to think differently about how streets, public spaces and sidewalks are important for urban heritage. The public space and sidewalk taught civic bodies that even temporary measures can have lasting benefits in the neighbourhood. These smaller scale efforts are particularly important in neighbourhoods that lack traditional park space. Placemaking efforts, such as parklets and street-seating areas, have brought life to otherwise underutilised spaces, creating informal gathering spots throughout the city.
Despite its success, Bhubaneswar’s public space model has faced challenges, particularly around maintenance and equitable access. Some privately owned spaces have been criticised for restrictive policies that limit their use. To address the issue, the city has strengthened enforcement mechanisms and introduced guidelines to ensure accessibility.
One of the biggest learnings of Bhubaneswar urban planning is creating public spaces for all. What started for old town heritage revitalisation ensured that all homes of Bhubaneswar, regardless of their neighbourhood, have access to high-quality public spaces.
One of the challenges is long-term sustainability. Many heritage properties rely on partnerships with private entities, raising questions about ongoing funding and stewardship. Perhaps Bhubaneswar needs to ensure that the spaces created today are maintained for future generations. That means sustainable funding mechanisms, strong governance structures, and continued community involvement in urban heritage is crucial.
Similarly as climate change, disaster, conflict etc. become an increasing concern, the city needs to look at how these urban heritage retains identity in years to come. In such scenario, public spaces can serve environmental goals. Parks and plazas are being designed with better stormwater management, heat mitigation, and resilient landscaping. Green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and permeable pavements, can be integrated into future programs to support sustainability efforts.
The future of cities depends on how well city integrates its age-old heritage with modernity, including urban planning, that bring people together. So far Bhubaneswar’s experience shows that with the right policies and collaboration, a city can create public spaces that truly enhance urban heritage.
Looking ahead, Bhubaneswar must continue to experiment with innovative approaches to public space. From new waterfront developments to expanded pedestrian zones, the city must prioritise liveability and inclusivity in its planning. As other cities look to replicate its successes, Bhubaneswar’s experience would offer valuable lessons on the power of public space to shape urban life.
Public spaces define the character of a city. They are where people meet, protest, celebrate, and unwind, and define the city’s identity and heritage. In a rapidly-changing world, investing in heritage together with public spaces is more important than other challenges.
