
‘Streets for People’ challenge
Why is it in news?
- The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry launched an initiative for making cities more pedestrian-friendly.
- It is said to be a response to the need for walkable urban spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Ministry also launched the Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework 2.0, which gives cities a roadmap for tackling climate change.
More about ‘Streets for People Challenge:
- The challenge is organised by the Smart Cities Mission.
- It would help cities provide safer means of transport with social distancing.
- All cities with a population of over 5 lakh, and capital cities, can apply for the challenge.
- Cities have to submit their proposals by February 11, 2021 and implement their interventions by May 31, 2021.
- The challenge has included the following:
(1) Creation of pedestrian-friendly streets in areas with high footfall
(2) Re-imagining the spaces under flyovers
(3) Re-vitalising dead spaces in neighbourhoods
(4) Creating walking links through parks and institutional areas.