Ajmeri Gate- Gateway to Jaipur’s Heritage. Photo credit: Author
The beautiful city of Jaipur has always been a major pin on my life’s map. Even though I spent my childhood in Delhi, Jaipur is where my favourite cousins lived, and where I enjoyed my summers, winters, and Diwali breaks for nearly 17 years. I vividly remember strolling the bustling streets of Bapu Bazar and Chauda Rasta with my family to enjoy the amazing street food as a child. Later, when I pursued my bachelor’s degree in this very city between 2008-13, commercial complexes like Gaurav Tower and Pink Square mall were the most popular hangout spots amongst our college group. In 2020, when marriage brought me back to Jaipur permanently and the city became my home, I took pride in showing off the city to my partner since, between us, I am the one who has spent more time here. But to my dismay, my city tour ended with the popular heritage destinations like Amer fort, Hawa Mahal, Jai Mahal, etc., and a few of the older hangout spots which I remembered from my college days. Most of these public hangout places were shabby, poorly maintained, and outdated. Yet they are often overcrowded, not because they are inviting, but simply because people, especially youth, have nowhere else to go. I struggled to identify any inclusive, well-designed, accessible, and safe public spaces in the city and, upon enquiring, I got a list of recommended indoor venues like restaurants, cafes and lounges, where most of Jaipur’s young crowd hang out these days.
The beautiful Pink City, which is celebrated globally for its historical beauty, with attractions like the City Palace and the vibrant bazaars of the walled city, seems to be stuck in time. It was very unsettling to realise that Jaipur has not been able to keep up with the evolving needs of its citizens, particularly the youth. Today, every fifth person in India is an adolescent (10-19 years) and every third – a young person (10-24 years). Inclusive public spaces, as components of urban infrastructure, are vital for the youth as they serve as an interface with the external world, allowing them to be independent and partake in activities that contribute to their overall physical and mental well-being.
In the absence of safe, inclusive and accessible public spaces like public parks, plazas, or open squares, the city’s youth get drawn towards indoor recreational spaces like lounges, cafes, and clubs to interact and unwind. The problem here is that, unlike free, open-air public spaces, indoor venues often come with costs, limited physical activity, and social exclusion, making them less accessible and empowering for the youth. For inclusive growth, cities must invest in safe, vibrant outdoor spaces that truly belong to everyone, as they are crucial for maintaining the social and cultural dynamics of a city.
Not long ago, the opportunity to be a U-CAN Fellow came my way, and I got a chance to work with WRI India on a project dealing with developing public spaces for adolescents through a tactical urbanism approach. The project has given me a unique window into the issue of the lack of inclusive public spaces in the city. I got an opportunity to engage with various communities and neighbourhoods in Jaipur, and these interactions have been eye-opening. Many adolescents from economically disadvantaged backgrounds rely solely on community facilities, like neighbourhood parks and grounds adjacent to local schools, for recreation. For many, these public spaces are their only opportunity to play, interact, and simply be themselves. Further interactions with adolescents reinforced their desire for more dynamic, secure community spaces that would address challenges like limited mobility, safety concerns, and a lack of amenities. These talks reinforced my opinion that urban settings are not neutral; they either facilitate or impede involvement, particularly among underrepresented populations.
This experience has made me realise just how complex it is to create public spaces that truly respond to the lived realities of people. Every conversation I’ve had, every walk through the neighbourhood, has revealed layers of urban life that often go unnoticed in planning processes. I’m beginning to see certain patterns, but the intersections of gender, age, safety, and public space still feel deeply layered and nuanced. At this point, instead of jumping to solutions, I feel the need to pause—to sit with the problem, to hold space for its contradictions, and to really listen to the many voices that shape it.
Hawa Mahal- Where the Winds Tell Stories. Photo credit: Author
