Cleanliness is Godliness - The Times of India
timesofindia.indiatimes.com › Opinion
Nov 2, 2010 - vigorousness into guilt- lessness; guiltlessness into abstemiousness; abstemiousness into cleanliness; cleanliness into godliness. The TalmudKeep our outdoors as tidy as our indoors
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BANGALORE:
In India we are familiar with the idea of being house-proud: proud of
keeping our homes tidy, clean and beautiful, however modest they are. In
Bangalore, entrances are marked with rangoli and hanging torana; shoes
are left at the door; shiny steel pots and dishes are stacked neatly in
the kitchen; and colourful cushions and spreads liven up domestic
spaces. Shopkeepers show the same respect and pride in their shops.
Outside the home and the shop, we have come to expect and accept dirt
and disorder.
Public spaces like streets and parks are often in danger of becoming decrepit. Making change modelled on world cities can be inspiring. We must create spaces that will be sustainable and make residents proud; spaces that are dead, underutilized and non-descript or hidden tend to be trashed.
The public spaces are created with a management plan. It is not for the city government alone to create the spaces. Institutions, businesses, corporates, neighbourhood associations, and residents all need to contribute to the making and maintaining of public spaces. A sense of belonging will enable the spaces to be better managed and maintained. We see many examples around the world of civil society engagement in the making and managing of public spaces.
We must encourage and participate in positive outdoor activities, including public art, outdoor performances, playground and sports, and craft fairs. These will help to create vibrant public spaces. Each of us should commit to keeping out pollution and waste from streets and public spaces. Segregate, recycle and reuse waste; place waste in appropriate bins for disposal; do not incinerate any waste; prevent defacing of spaces by posters; and keep out unwanted noises and sounds. When we each decide to take responsibility for our outdoor and public spaces as much as indoor ones, then we will have places that are meaningful and we are proud of.
The writer is the founder and director of Sustainable Urbanism International. She serves as an expert for Unesco and works as associate professor with New York's Columbia University
Public spaces like streets and parks are often in danger of becoming decrepit. Making change modelled on world cities can be inspiring. We must create spaces that will be sustainable and make residents proud; spaces that are dead, underutilized and non-descript or hidden tend to be trashed.
The public spaces are created with a management plan. It is not for the city government alone to create the spaces. Institutions, businesses, corporates, neighbourhood associations, and residents all need to contribute to the making and maintaining of public spaces. A sense of belonging will enable the spaces to be better managed and maintained. We see many examples around the world of civil society engagement in the making and managing of public spaces.
We must encourage and participate in positive outdoor activities, including public art, outdoor performances, playground and sports, and craft fairs. These will help to create vibrant public spaces. Each of us should commit to keeping out pollution and waste from streets and public spaces. Segregate, recycle and reuse waste; place waste in appropriate bins for disposal; do not incinerate any waste; prevent defacing of spaces by posters; and keep out unwanted noises and sounds. When we each decide to take responsibility for our outdoor and public spaces as much as indoor ones, then we will have places that are meaningful and we are proud of.
The writer is the founder and director of Sustainable Urbanism International. She serves as an expert for Unesco and works as associate professor with New York's Columbia University
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