Bengaluru-based artist, writer, and historian Suresh Jayaram is spearheading a renewed dialogue on the future of Cubbon Park, the city’s historic 300-acre green lung, through his latest book, Cubbon Park: Citizens’ Perspectives and Many Visions for the Future. Released this month, the publication synthesizes diverse viewpoints from urban planners, environmentalists, and everyday park-goers, arguing that the space must be managed as a democratic commons rather than a static administrative zone.
A Legacy of Public Space
Established in 1870, Cubbon Park has served as a central fixture of Bengaluru’s identity, evolving from a colonial-era botanical garden into a critical site for civic engagement. Over the past century, the park has faced mounting pressure from rapid urbanization, infrastructure projects, and shifting municipal priorities that often prioritize traffic flow over pedestrian access.
Jayaram’s work highlights that the park’s historical significance lies in its role as a neutral ground where the city’s socio-economic divides temporarily vanish. The book documents how the park has functioned as a venue for protest, leisure, and ecological preservation, underscoring its status as the last remaining large-scale public commons in the city center.
The Multi-Layered Challenge
The core of Jayaram’s research addresses the tension between preservation and modernization. As the city’s population continues to surge, the demand for underground transit connectivity and road widening often clashes with the need to protect the park’s fragile canopy and biodiversity.
According to data from recent urban planning studies, the park’s temperature is significantly lower than the surrounding concrete-heavy central business district, making it an essential tool for mitigating the urban heat island effect. Jayaram emphasizes that any development strategy must prioritize these ecosystem services over short-term logistical convenience.
Expert Perspectives on Urban Commons
Urban historians and environmentalists cited in the book argue that Bengaluru is at a tipping point. Dr. Anjali Rao, an urban ecologist, notes that
