Rethinking the Design of Ghats : Designing for Accessibility and Inclusivity

Introduction

Rivers have always been the lifeblood of Indian cities—shaping their social, cultural, and economic landscapes. One of the most iconic rivers, the Ganges, holds profound spiritual significance, and nowhere is this more evident than in the ancient city of Varanasi. Known as Kashi, Varanasi is home to the famous ghats that line the river, where millions of Hindus come for purification and spiritual rites. But beneath this timeless ritual lies a modern challenge: how can we ensure that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, can fully participate in these traditions?

The Significance of the Ghats

The Ghats of Varanasi have been central to the city’s spiritual, cultural, and economic life for centuries. Each of the eighty ghats has its own story, purpose, and significance, providing a space for daily rituals, religious ceremonies, and even social interaction. Visitors, tourists, and locals alike flock to these steps, making the ghats an essential part of the fabric of life in Varanasi. However, these historic steps—designed to manage the river’s rising waters—present an unforeseen barrier for many, particularly those with physical disabilities or mobility challenges.

The Challenge of Accessibility

Namrita (name changed), a young woman with cerebral palsy, dreams of visiting the ghats, to feel the cool breeze of the Ganges and dip her feet in its holy waters—a simple desire that highlights a glaring issue. While the ghats are an iconic feature of Varanasi, they are largely inaccessible to people like Namrita. The long series of stairs—necessary for flood management—act as a physical barrier for individuals with disabilities, the elderly, children, and even pregnant women.

According to the World Bank, one billion people, or 15% of the global population, live with some form of disability. With the growing elderly population and the increasing number of people with chronic ailments, it's clear that accessibility isn't just a concern for the few—it's a challenge that affects a large proportion of society. This is especially pertinent for pilgrimage cities like Varanasi, where the tourist demographic includes many elderly.

Designing for Inclusivity: The "Stramp" Concept

To overcome this challenge, innovative design solutions are being explored. One such idea is the "Stramp"—a combination of stairs and ramp, created by Canadian architect Arthur Erickson in the 1970s. The concept aims to merge the functionality of both a staircase and a ramp into one continuous structure, allowing for both access and movement.

While the Stramp is an intriguing design, it has limitations that make it less ideal for public spaces like the ghats. For one, the slope of a ramp is crucial for accessibility, and in most Stramp designs, this slope is either too steep or too long to be effective. Additionally, Stramps do not allow for the inclusion of handrails, which are essential for people with disabilities, and they lack mid-landing spaces that would break up long ramps. Moreover, blending steps with a ramp can pose safety hazards for people with low vision, as the difference between steps becomes hard to distinguish.

Integrating Modern Technology: Chairlifts and Platform Lifts

Though there is no perfect solution, technological advancements like chairlifts and platform lifts offer a more feasible way to improve accessibility without drastically altering the character of the ghats. These lifts could easily be integrated into the current design of the ghats with minimal modification. Chairlifts and platform lifts are intuitive to use, simple to install, and more adaptable to the existing architecture of Varanasi’s ghats.

However, the question remains: Would the installation of such lifts disrupt the sacred and historical integrity of the ghats? These lifts are not indigenous to the cultural context of the ghats and could potentially clash with the deeply rooted religious and social practices that have defined these spaces for centuries. The challenge, therefore, is to find a balance between functionality and tradition—ensuring that people like Namrita can access the ghats, while still respecting the cultural and spiritual significance of the site.

The Need for Behavioral Change and Inclusive Design

Ultimately, the answer to this challenge is not just in design innovation but in a broader societal shift toward inclusivity. As renowned architect Richard Rogers once said, “Architecture is about public spaces held by buildings.” Public spaces, like the ghats, should be accessible to all. This requires not only technological and architectural innovation but also a cultural change in how we view accessibility. In a city like Varanasi, where architecture has always been about creating spaces for communal rituals and social life, the design of public spaces should reflect this inclusivity.

Conclusion

The ghats of Varanasi, along with the sacredness of the Ganges, are a living testament to the city's spiritual and cultural identity. However, as we move toward a more inclusive society, we must ensure that these spaces are accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability. Whether through innovative design, technology, or a shift in societal attitudes, we have the opportunity to make sacred spaces like the ghats a welcoming place for all. Namrita’s dream of visiting the Ganges is a reminder that accessibility and inclusivity must be central to how we think about public spaces in the modern world.