Bengaluru’s civic challenges could find a solution in its metro network, according to architect Naresh Narasimhan, Managing Partner at Venkataramanan Associates. Speaking at Designuru 5.0, hosted by IIID and BCIC, Narasimhan proposed converting unused ground-floor spaces in the city’s 120+ metro stations into walk-in centres for complaints, neighbourhood governance, and community engagement.
He argued that despite years of single-window platforms and grievance apps, citizens remain unsure of whom to approach for basic issues. “The real breakthrough lies in using what the city already has—its Namma Metro stations. If we activate them, every citizen will have an accessible point of contact just a short walk or metro ride away,” he said.
With the Greater Bengaluru Authority now unifying water, fire, electricity, transport, and BBMP under Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, experts noted that metro stations could serve as immediate, scalable service hubs. Rao emphasized the need to rebuild trust between citizens and civic systems, calling for transparency, consistent communication, and reclaiming public spaces such as lakes, walkways, and parks to ensure sustainability and liveability.
L.K. Atheeq, Chairman of the Bengaluru Business Corridor, added that the city must evolve into “a network of vibrant, walkable micro-cities” with public squares, piazzas, and easy metro access to restore local identity and community life.
In parallel, the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) and the Indian Institute of Interior Designers (IIID BRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen long-term collaboration. The MoU covers joint efforts in curating Designuru, co-hosting the Antarya Design Awards in 2026, and CSR initiatives such as “Code Studio.”
BCIC President Prashanth Gokhale said, “As BCIC enters its Golden Jubilee year, we reaffirm our responsibility to shape a more resilient, competitive, and future-ready Bengaluru. With renewed energy and purpose, we look forward to deepening collaborations, championing bold ideas, and catalysing new opportunities for the next generation.”
