Citation :

Surekha Ramineni, Monalisa Bhardwaj, Spoorthi Chikkaveerappa, Vidyashri S, "Comprehensive Walkability Assessment of Urban Streets – Case of Tender S.U.R.E, Bengaluru," International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 13, no. 9, pp. 370-389, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I9P123

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and rising motorization have impacted pedestrian environments and walkability, especially in the Global South. To handle these challenges, many countries have initiated street redesign to prioritize pedestrianization. TenderSURE (Specifications for Urban Road Execution) is one such initiative adopted by Bengaluru under the Smart City Mission, with the key objective of creating world-class pedestrian-friendly streets. This study aims to evaluate the pedestrian walkability of seven streets of Bengaluru redesigned under the TenderSURE Phase 1 program through a mixed-methods approach, combining both field assessments using the Pedestrian Environment Data Scan (PEDS) tool, user perception surveys and qualitative feedback. Overall walkability scores across the study corridors are moderate. St. Marks Road emerged as the highest-rated street overall at 70.5%. St. Marks Road and Cunningham Road scored highest on objective physical measures (PEDS score 68.8%), and St. Marks Road is rated best on the perception survey (72.14%), particularly for safety and comfort. Although a clear improvement in footpath quality, paving, and street aesthetics can be seen through TenderSURE upgrades, several problems remain. Residency Road and St. Marks demonstrated a positive gap between objective scores and how people perceived the streets more favourably than their physical condition suggested. This could largely be attributed to the homogeneous, vibrant commercial character and lively atmosphere. Cunningham Road and Museum Road are perceived less favourably than the physical environment. Pedestrians emphasized the need for unobstructed footpaths, shaded resting spaces, safer crossings and improved maintenance. The study shows that for street design to be truly successful, both improvement in physical infrastructure and comfort, convenience, everyday usability, lived experience of people on the street, and continued maintenance are equally important.

Keywords

Accessibility, Bengaluru, Pedestrian infrastructure, TenderSURE, Walkability assessment.

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