Urban Initiatives
Shaping inclusive, accessible, and adaptable urban environments
Urban growth in India presents both opportunity and urgency to embed inclusion, resilience, and equity into city systems. ESAF Foundation works with Urban Local Bodies, planning departments, and civil society to strengthen urban development through inclusive public space design, sustainable mobility, and participatory planning. Our interventions prioritise vulnerable user groups, including persons with disabilities, children, street vendors, and non-motorised commuters, to ensure cities are safe, accessible, and responsive for all.
Our Impact
5,00,000 +
individuals engaged through public space initiatives across nine cities
33,820
individuals with disabilities use public spaces developed with inclusive, accessible infrastructure
9,070
disabled children and their families reached through targeted inclusion programmes
Our Impact
5,00,000 +
individuals engaged through public space initiatives across nine cities
33,820
individuals with disabilities use public spaces developed with inclusive, accessible infrastructure
9,070
disabled children and their families reached through targeted inclusion programmes
What We Do
Our urban initiatives promote people-centred design that advances public health, social participation, and equitable access to infrastructure.
Designing public spaces for everyone
City governments partner with us to upgrade parks, streets and markets with improved access for children, older people and persons with disabilities. Our flagship ‘ESAF Beach for All’ campaign brings this to coastal areas.
Improving everyday urban mobility
Pedestrian infrastructure, vehicle-free zones and community-led events like Cycle Days and Open Streets make walking, cycling and public transport safer and more attractive.
Making recreation inclusive and welcoming
We partner with tourism departments and city agencies to co-create barrier-free recreational spaces that expand access and support local economies.
Creating shared spaces with communities
Residents lead neighbourhood transformations through collaborative pilots and events, guided by our flagship ‘ESAF Open Streets’ campaign promoting inclusive, community-owned public space.
Shaping policy through practice
Master plans and transport policies draw from our pilot projects, research and collaborations with municipal bodies and urban planning institutions.
Designing public spaces for everyone
City governments partner with us to upgrade parks, streets and markets with improved access for children, older people and persons with disabilities. Our flagship ‘ESAF Beach for All’ campaign brings this to coastal areas.
Improving everyday urban mobility
Pedestrian infrastructure, vehicle-free zones and community-led events like Cycle Days and Open Streets make walking, cycling and public transport safer and more attractive.
Making recreation inclusive and welcoming
We partner with tourism departments and city agencies to co-create barrier-free recreational spaces that expand access and support local economies.
Creating shared spaces with communities
Residents lead neighbourhood transformations through collaborative pilots and events, guided by our flagship ‘ESAF Open Streets’ campaign promoting inclusive, community-owned public space.
Shaping policy through practice
Master plans and transport policies draw from our pilot projects, research and collaborations with municipal bodies and urban planning institutions.
From the Field
Reclaiming the Street as a Place for Life
This feature explores how ESAF Foundation is helping Indian cities slow down and make room for inclusion, from community events to master plan reforms.
Influencing Policy and Public Systems
ESAF Foundation’s urban initiatives have driven tangible changes in planning and governance.
Walkability and car-free zones were integrated into Kerala’s Parking Policy, and Thrissur’s 2039 Master Plan.
ESAF’s inputs on structured urban development, climate-resilient planning, sustainable mobility, open spaces and smart tourism infrastructure shaped the Kerala Urban Policy 2025 submitted to the state government.
38 beaches in Kerala were developed with barrier-free infrastructure for persons with disabilities, guided by ESAF Foundation’s recommendations under the Barrier-Free and Accessible Kerala Tourism Project.
Public space upgrades under AMRUT and Smart City Missions incorporated ESAF’s inclusive design proposals
58 public spaces were redeveloped across eight cities between 2010-2024 through policy and institutional support.
The Government of Kerala approved ₹2.5 crore in the 2024–25 Budget for the Vakkad Inclusive Beach Project, designed by ESAF Foundation.
The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) allocated funds to develop five defunct parks into neighbourhood parks, following ESAF’s policy-level recommendations.
Walkability and car-free zones were integrated into Kerala’s Parking Policy, and Thrissur’s 2039 Master Plan.
ESAF’s inputs on structured urban development, climate-resilient planning, sustainable mobility, open spaces and smart tourism infrastructure shaped the Kerala Urban Policy 2025 submitted to the state government.
38 beaches in Kerala were developed with barrier-free infrastructure for persons with disabilities, guided by ESAF Foundation’s recommendations under the Barrier-Free and Accessible Kerala Tourism Project.
Public space upgrades under AMRUT and Smart City Missions incorporated ESAF’s inclusive design proposals
58 public spaces were redeveloped across eight cities between 2010-2024 through policy and institutional support.
The Government of Kerala approved ₹2.5 crore in the 2024–25 Budget for the Vakkad Inclusive Beach Project, designed by ESAF Foundation.
The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) allocated funds to develop five defunct parks into neighbourhood parks, following ESAF’s policy-level recommendations.
Support Our Work
Public spaces are where society comes together. Making them safe and inclusive is how we build cities that work for everyone.
Donate NowOur Projects
Livable Cities India
The multi-city programme advocates for inclusive urban planning that prioritises health, accessibility, and well-being. Since 2008, it has engaged over 1.9 million people across nine cities and 123 government departments.
Partner:
Global Public Space Programme (GPSP)
Under GPSP, ESAF Foundation with the support of HealthBridge Foundation of Canada redesigned the Ansari Children's Park and the Munambam Beach in Kerala as inclusive public places for people living with disabilities. The project also supported renovations at Beltola Bi-Weekly Market in Guwahati through the 2024 UN-Habitat Global Grants.
Partner:
SCALE-UP (Slum Communities Achieving Livable Environment with Urban Partners)
This initiative strengthened the capacity of slum communities to participate in the JNNURM-BSUP scheme and access essential urban services. ESAF mobilised communities and facilitated partnerships with local institutions for sustainable urban inclusion.
Partner:
The Young Health Programme (YHP)
AstraZeneca UK partnered with ESAF Foundation to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among women and youth through the Young Health Programme. The initiative focused on strengthening the continuum of care and ensuring equitable and accessible healthcare services in rural and peri-urban communities across Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Assam.
Partner:
Livable Cities India
The multi-city programme advocates for inclusive urban planning that prioritises health, accessibility, and well-being. Since 2008, it has engaged over 1.9 million people across nine cities and 123 government departments.
Partner:
Global Public Space Programme (GPSP)
Under GPSP, ESAF Foundation with the support of HealthBridge Foundation of Canada redesigned the Ansari Children's Park and the Munambam Beach in Kerala as inclusive public places for people living with disabilities. The project also supported renovations at Beltola Bi-Weekly Market in Guwahati through the 2024 UN-Habitat Global Grants.
Partner:
SCALE-UP (Slum Communities Achieving Livable Environment with Urban Partners)
This initiative strengthened the capacity of slum communities to participate in the JNNURM-BSUP scheme and access essential urban services. ESAF mobilised communities and facilitated partnerships with local institutions for sustainable urban inclusion.
Partner:
The Young Health Programme (YHP)
AstraZeneca UK partnered with ESAF Foundation to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among women and youth through the Young Health Programme. The initiative focused on strengthening the continuum of care and ensuring equitable and accessible healthcare services in rural and peri-urban communities across Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Assam.
Partner:
