GBA invites designs to improve Bengaluru’s public spaces

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has invited citizens to submit design ideas to improve Bengaluru’s everyday public spaces, including bus stops, streetlights, public benches, road medians, waste bins, shopfronts and neighbourhood identities.

The initiative, Bengaluru Design: Open Call, under Bengaluru Jatre, is open to designers, architects, artists, students and other creative thinkers. Submissions will close on November 15. Shortlisted designs will be showcased during Bengaluru Jatre, scheduled from December 4 to 13. The best proposals will be selected by a jury constituted by the GBA.

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the initiative aims to connect citizens’ creativity with the city’s everyday needs. “A city is experienced not just through its major infrastructure but through the everyday spaces people use. We want citizens to bring forward ideas that make Bengaluru more accessible, welcoming and liveable,” he said.

The design challenges include improving street lighting, providing better shelter and accessibility at bus stops, making public seating more comfortable, redesigning waste bins and civic signboards, and developing neighbourhood identities that reflect local history and culture. Participants can also propose integrated improvements to a 500-metre stretch, incorporating pedestrian movement, road crossings, greenery, lighting, public transport, accessibility and safety. Another challenge invites ideas for developing distinct visual identities for Bengaluru’s five city corporations under the GBA.

The authority said proposals should be practical, affordable, inclusive and scalable, keeping in mind maintenance requirements, existing infrastructure, available materials and the operational needs of civic agencies.

“Good design must go beyond how something looks. It must work on the ground, be affordable to maintain, improve people’s everyday experience and be practical for our civic agencies to take forward,” Mr. Gowda said.

Selected proposals will be shared with the relevant city corporations for consideration and possible implementation, subject to feasibility in terms of technical, financial, operational and site-specific aspects. Entries can be sent to support@bengalurujatre.in by November 15.