By Atiq Raja
When we talk about development, the first image that comes to mind is often wide, smooth roads. Expansive highways, freshly paved streets, and streams of fast-moving traffic have long been symbols of progress. Yet, real urban development is never one-sided. Cities are not built for cars alone—they are built for people. And for people to move safely and confidently, footpaths and zebra crossings are just as critical as the roads themselves. Without them, the promise of progress is incomplete, leaving pedestrians vulnerable and the city unsafe.
Across many developing cities, there is a curious paradox. Roads are upgraded and widened, but footpaths—the very spaces designed for people—are often neglected. They are narrow, broken, encroached upon by shops or vendors, or sometimes nonexistent. Zebra crossings are rare or faded, their purpose ignored. The consequences are immediate and stark: children, the elderly, students, and workers are forced onto the streets, directly into the path of speeding vehicles. A road without proper pedestrian infrastructure is not merely inconvenient—it is unsafe, unfair, and fundamentally incomplete.
Footpaths are not a luxury. They are a necessity. They provide safety, creating a dedicated, elevated space that keeps pedestrians away from moving traffic. They enhance accessibility, allowing mothers with strollers, elderly citizens, wheelchair users, and school children to move freely. They encourage healthier lifestyles, as people are more likely to walk when footpaths are safe and continuous, reducing congestion, pollution, and related health issues. And they contribute to orderly traffic: when pedestrians use proper pathways, vehicles can move more efficiently, creating a smoother, more disciplined urban environment.
Equally vital are zebra crossings—the simple stripes of paint that can mean the difference between life and death. A zebra crossing is more than a painted line; it is a promise of safety, a signal of respect, and a shared responsibility between drivers and walkers. Properly marked crossings slow down reckless drivers, offer safe points to navigate busy roads, and reduce accidents involving pedestrians. Without them, people cross wherever they can, increasing risk and creating chaos.
A modern city is like a house. A house without doors, no matter how beautiful, is incomplete. Roads without footpaths and zebra crossings are similarly deficient. True urban development requires a balance: well-constructed roads for vehicles, continuous and wide footpaths for pedestrians, and clearly marked zebra crossings with functional pedestrian signals. Only then can a city be humane, inclusive, and prepared for the future.
Cities that prioritize people over vehicles are among the most admired globally. Tokyo, Zurich, Singapore, and Copenhagen are not celebrated for the width of their highways but for the safety, accessibility, and convenience of walking. In these cities, children, the elderly, and the disabled can navigate streets without fear—a fundamental marker of progress. In contrast, in cities where footpaths are ignored and crossings are neglected, road accidents increase, traffic becomes chaotic, pollution rises, and walking itself turns from a healthy habit into a stressful ordeal. Families and senior citizens find themselves excluded from urban life. A nation cannot claim to be developed when its pedestrians are unsafe on their own streets.
The way forward is clear. Every new road must be accompanied by a parallel footpath. Zebra crossings must be properly marked, maintained, and supported with pedestrian signals at busy junctions. Encroached sidewalks must be cleared, and public awareness campaigns should reinforce respect for pedestrians. Investing in footpaths and crossings is not a cost—it is an investment in life, dignity, and the future of the nation.
Roads connect places, but footpaths and zebra crossings connect people to life itself. True urban development is measured not by the speed of cars but by the freedom and safety of people walking the streets. For cities to be truly modern, safe, and inclusive, they must be designed for everyone, not just vehicles. A nation that protects its pedestrians protects its future, ensuring that progress is shared, sustainable, and humane.
(The writer is a rights activist and CEO of AR Trainings and Consultancy, with degrees in Political Science and English Literature, can be reached at news@metro-morning.com)
