Varanasi City Challenge: a new urban innovation challenge to help improve the movement of people
27 June 2024
In partnership with Toyota Mobility Foundation and Varanasi Smart City, we are excited to announce the launch of the Varanasi Challenge, as part of the Sustainable Cities Challenge!
The Varanasi Challenge is all about innovating crowd flow – how to help people move more safely and easily in the ancient city.
Situated along the banks of the Ganges River in northern India, Varanasi is the spiritual heart of the country. Pilgrimage rites, end-of-life activities, funerals, and other religious and cultural activities such as the Kumbh Mela draw millions of visitors every year – 35 times its residential population. This number is anticipated to increase annually and as such, huge pressures on the city, its infrastructure, and its capacity to manage crowds safely and efficiently continue to grow.
In the old city of Kashi, huge numbers of people, livestock, and private vehicles navigate the maze of narrow, winding lanes every day, resulting in a complex urban environment that makes it difficult to ensure safety – especially for aged and disabled people – and manage crowds effectively.
How can we create solutions to increase safety and accessibility for crowds moving around the city?
Creative integration of technology, data analytics, urban design, behavioral psychology, and crowd science can provide insights into crowd dynamics and flow, allowing for better crowd management and reduced congestion.
We are calling on innovators from around the world to develop innovative urban crowd management solutions that make it easier for Varanasi’s visitors and residents to navigate the city while respecting and protecting its unique cultural dynamics.
Do you have a creative and exciting solution?
With $3 million in funding available to support innovators, this is a unique opportunity to work with the city and create new ways to:
- Better manage overcrowding events – to enhance and preserve the spiritual and cultural experience of the city that is the soul of India.
- Improve citizen decision-making – to empower people to move around the city safely and participate in the city’s vibrant spiritual and cultural activities.
- Support vulnerable groups – specifically the elderly and those with disabilities who frequently attend busy events.
Entries are now open and will close on Thursday 10 October 2024 -13:00 UTC (18:30 IST).
