The conference on “Right to Walk” is designed to explore the manner in which pedestrians need to organize to become an effective voice for raising the demand for better pedestrian infrastructure and assert their right to mobility, safety, convenience and influence the forces that make cities less vehicle dominant. We shall enumerate the rights that exist, identify the forces that militate against pedestrians and explore the ways in which pedestrians must organize and fight. We shall look at other such movements and identify strategic alliances. The conference will also enable activists and organizations to ideate on the ways to move ahead. Finally, the very act of organizing the conference will provide visibility to both the plight of the pedestrian and highlight the need for strong collective action if the rights, which only exist on paper, are to be realized on the ground.
The conference was organized in Pune on February 28th and 29th at the S.M. Joshi facility in Navi Peth, Pune.
The conference consisted sessions exploring various facets of pedestrian mobilization and activities such as a city-walk, presentations, discussions and exhibitions.
Conference attendees include social groups and individuals who are interested in issues related to pedestrians – be it from the lens of gender, social exclusion, safety, rights, disabilities, governance, policies, sustainability and health.
