In a landmark step towards promoting sustainable urban mobility, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has launched a model sample stretch at Pradhikaran, Nigdi, marking the beginning of India’s first neighbourhood-level pilot of the 15-Minute City concept. The pilot project, part of the city's Harit Setu initiative, is designed to create safer, healthier, and more inclusive streets for people of all ages and abilities.
The initiative is being implemented by the newly launched Urban Mobility Department of PCMC, reflecting the city's proactive approach toward sustainable urban transport planning. Harit Setu is also poised to become one of the first integrated last-mile connectivity projects for the Bhakti Shakti Metro station, strengthening multimodal linkages and making public transport more accessible for citizens.
Spanning approximately 100 meters, the sample stretch showcases innovative urban design strategies that integrate walking, cycling, and stormwater management infrastructure while preserving existing trees and engaging closely with the local community. Vibrant murals, activated public spaces, and thoughtfully designed street furniture transform the area into a welcoming and lively public realm. Residents, who were initially sceptical, have now embraced the change, describing the transformed streets as "Dubai-like" in their quality.
To support and strengthen the initiative, a delegation from the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) conducted a multi-day site visit, leading technical workshops, design sessions, and hands-on engagement activities aimed at advancing inclusive street design across the city. The collaborative approach underscored how streets can be transformed into people-centric spaces when bold ideas and expert guidance come together.
Further cementing Pimpri Chinchwad’s commitment to international best practices, Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh formally endorsed the Global Street Design Guide (GSDG), positioning PCMC among global leaders in people-first urban mobility.
“We are proud to be pioneering a project that puts people at the centre of urban planning. Expanding walking and cycling networks is essential for creating healthier, safer, and more inclusive streets," said Shekhar Singh.
Lauding the city’s leadership, Skye Duncan, Executive Director of GDCI, said, “The leadership shown by Commissioner Singh and his team demonstrates the critical commitment needed to prioritize the needs of the next generation. It’s exciting to see Pimpri Chinchwad set a new benchmark for sustainable street design, prioritizing people over private vehicles. We are confident that this project will inspire cities around the world.”
Harit Setu project
The Harit Setu project has been shaped through strong local partnerships. Design expertise has been led by Prasanna Desai Architects (PDA) and supported by Ashik Jain. The project has further benefited from the contributions of ITDP India, which provided sustainable transport planning expertise, and Sanskriti Menon from the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), who supported community engagement initiatives.
Pimpri Chinchwad’s broader vision involves scaling the model citywide, developing a comprehensive network of active mobility corridors, and advancing the 15-Minute City concept. Additional sites have already been identified to expand the initiative, ensuring that essential services like schools, markets, and transit hubs are accessible within a short walk or cycle ride for every resident. Under the Harit Setu initiative, PCMC aims to complete approximately 9 kilometres of safe and accessible walking and cycling corridors by the end of 2026.
The project is being developed with design support from Prasanna Desai Architects, project management by Pavetech Design Consultants, and on-ground execution by BG Shirke Construction. It is further strengthened by the technical guidance provided by the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI), with a shared vision of creating a scalable model for urban India and beyond.
