When New York City appointed its first Chief Public Realm Officer (CPRO) in early 2023, it was more than just a new title.
Ya-Ting Liu, the appointee, was given a mandate to transform the city's urban spaces—making them more accessible, engaging, and resilient. Within months, New York saw the fruits of this role in action. Liu’s work led to the expansion of outdoor dining, the creation of pedestrian-friendly zones, and the establishment of the Public Space Incubator, which revitalizes underused spaces in marginalized neighbourhoods.
Through initiatives like these, New York’s CPRO is actively reshaping the city’s landscape to meet community needs and create spaces where residents feel at home.
Busy commercial hubs have become pedestrian havens, local economies have been invigorated, and the city's air quality has improved as traffic and congestion are reduced. The city is setting a standard for how public spaces can serve as both functional and welcoming communal hubs.
Why Goa Needs Its Own CPRO
For Goa, facing its own public space challenges, the idea of appointing a CPRO could be transformative. Goa’s public spaces— its beaches, parks, squares, and even its bustling markets — are essential to its identity. They are not only sources of natural beauty but serve as communal areas that foster a sense of belonging and pride among residents.
However, these spaces are under threat. Rapid land conversions are turning green zones into private development sites, leaving Goans feeling that their public commons are slipping away.
While these changes are often driven by a push for economic growth, many Goans see this as development that overlooks local values and disrespects the state’s unique culture.
A CPRO in Goa could play a central role in protecting these spaces. Unlike the existing Chief Town Planner (CTP), who works within a bureaucratic framework largely focused on technical regulations, a CPRO would bring a fresh approach, prioritizing public needs and ecological preservation.
An Outdated Framework
Established nearly five decades ago under the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, the CTP’s office was originally tasked with guiding Goa’s development. However, over time, the role has become increasingly synonymous with bureaucratic red tape and limited public engagement.
Today, the CTP’s approach is seen as rigid and outdated, addressing technical aspects of development without a clear mandate to engage with the community or focus on preserving public spaces. This disconnect has contributed to growing discontent among Goans, evident in recent public protests against the Town Planner’s office.
Goa’s citizens are calling for change. They want an approach that values green zones, public spaces, and historic sites as essential parts of Goa’s communal life, not just as assets for private gain. This growing demand for public engagement and accountability underscores the need for a CPRO who can bridge the gap between government planning and citizen interests.
How an NYC-Style CPRO Could Work for Goa
New York City’s CPRO has introduced community-driven initiatives that can serve as models for Goa. The Public Space Incubator brings green spaces to underserved neighbourhoods, providing accessible recreation while revitalizing community areas.
Imagine a similar initiative in Goa. A Goa CPRO could establish accessible green spaces in both rural and urban areas, creating spaces that serve locals and visitors alike. Such projects could enhance areas currently under pressure from tourism, offering open, well-maintained spaces where both residents and tourists can enjoy Goa’s natural beauty without infringing on each other’s experiences.
In addition to expanding green spaces, New York’s CPRO has implemented pedestrian-friendly zones in some of the city’s busiest neighbourhoods, transforming streets once dominated by cars into walkable, lively spaces. These transformations not only reduce pollution but also support local businesses, creating inviting, community-oriented public spaces.
Goa, known for its bustling markets and vibrant coastal areas, could benefit from similar pedestrian-related initiatives, creating walkable hubs that reduce traffic congestion and improve public safety.
Community-Centric Planning: A Vision for Goa’s CPRO
In many ways, a CPRO for Goa would be the link between government, community, and culture. This role could institutionalise community engagement in planning, making public input a core aspect of project design and implementation.
With dedicated leadership focused on the public realm, Goa’s CPRO could prioritize the preservation of its natural and cultural heritage.
Unlike the CTP, who may approve land-use changes without clear community feedback, a CPRO could protect iconic spaces like Goa’s beaches, forests, and marketplaces by establishing long-term preservation strategies.
By actively involving communities in these processes, a CPRO could foster a sense of shared responsibility for maintaining Goa’s cultural identity.
A catalyst for economic and social vitality
A CPRO would also have the capacity to balance Goa’s tourism economy with the needs of its residents. New York’s experience has shown that well-designed public spaces can stimulate economic activity.
By making public areas more attractive and accessible, a Goa CPRO could support local businesses and tourism in a way that respects both the environment and local communities.
Goa’s public realm would thus become a place not just for visitors but for residents to enjoy, transforming commercial spaces into cultural assets that strengthen the local economy.
When well-maintained public areas foster both economic and social vitality, they contribute to a more resilient tourism economy— one that respects the local culture and benefits the entire community.
A public realm vision for Goa
The call for a CPRO in Goa is more than just an administrative recommendation. It represents an opportunity for the state to redefine how public spaces are valued, used, and protected. It’s a chance to put community needs at the forefront of planning, creating public areas that reflect Goa’s distinctive cultural and ecological heritage.
With a visionary CPRO, Goa could lead the way for India in redefining public space. This role could set a model for thinking about the commons across the country, confronting challenges like ecological preservation, tourism management, and community-driven design. By appointing a CPRO, Goa’s leaders could signal a commitment to sustainable development that honours the State’s natural beauty and community values.
As Goa faces mounting development pressures, the CPRO could provide the vision and leadership needed to ensure that future generations inherit a Goa that celebrates both its past and its potential.
For a State known for its vibrant culture, natural beauty, and strong sense of community, appointing a CPRO is a fitting way to safeguard these values. It’s time for a public realm that serves the people, respects the environment and honours the spirit of Goa.
(The author is a strategy consultant and writer
living in Goa)