Kolkata, West Bengal
Park Street Rejuvenation
Now, why Park Street? There were several reasons.
Historical Significance: Park Street has been Kolkata’s social and cultural hub for decades, housing iconic restaurants, heritage buildings, and a vibrant nightlife.
Deteriorating Condition: By the early 2000s, Park Street faced neglect, congestion, and competition from emerging malls, leading to a decline in its appeal.
Feasibility of Revival: Unlike other areas, Park Street’s large properties and existing institutional backing made coordination among stakeholders manageable, allowing for an effective urban renewal plan.
A little bit about the History of the street
Park Street got its name from the Deer Park that included the stately house of Henry Vansittart, which is
where Loreto House stands today. Before these mansions came up, this was known as the Kabristan ka Rasta or the Burial Ground Road. So, palanquin bearers would charge a few extra rupees to get one to this street as it had a reputation of being haunted—it had three burial grounds at the eastern end.
Of these, the French cemetery was demolished in the fifties to build the high-rise that houses Apeejay School. The North Park Street cemetery was pulled down to build the Assembly of God Hospital. Only the South Park Street Cemetery still exists, housing among others, the graves of Sir William Jones, Charles Dickens' son, and Michael Madhusudan Dutt.
With the development of the Salt Lake township and eastside development in the seventies, Park Street was reduced to being a thoroughfare linking the east end with Chowringhee and BBD Bag, the Central Business District. This posed serious problems—clogging, pollution, and parking. Park Street needed to be understood as the most prestigious destination in Kolkata, not just a transportation bypass road.
A crucial stakeholder meeting—the Kolkata Colloquium—was held at Oxford Bookstore on 18 December 2007. Over a hundred participants, including restaurateurs, shop owners, residents, bureaucrats, architects, and social activists, gathered to discuss traffic management, parking, heritage restoration, and urban design strategies. This marked the formal beginning of Park Street’s revival efforts.
Following the overwhelming support at the December meeting, SPARK (Society for Park Street Rejuvenation Kolkata) was established in mid-2008, with Ar. Monica Khosla Bhargava as its president. It brought together the West Bengal Tourism Department, Kolkata Police, and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation to drive the rejuvenation efforts forward. Initiatives included walkability enhancements, public space improvements, and restoration of key landmarks like Park Mansions and South Park Street Cemetery.
To bring people back to Park Street, a—street festival—was conceptualized. Initially planned for December 2008, delays in permissions pushed the event to January 2009. Despite this, the festival was a massive success, leading to the official launch of the Park Street Christmas Festival in the following years. Schools, local institutions, and businesses actively participated, making it a community-driven initiative.Its overwhelming success soon secured permissions for a December carnival, setting the stage for an annual tradition.
Allen Park, the only park on Park Street, was revitalized with over 1,000 saplings, new pathways, play areas, and public facilities. Over time, it evolved into the heart of community life on Park Street, hosting the Kolkata Christmas Festival, serving as a hub for morning walkers, providing a dedicated space for children, and becoming a vibrant venue for cultural and social gatherings that reinforced Park Street’s identity as a thriving public space.
By this time, the—Park Street Christmas Festival—had grown into India’s largest street festival. What started as a SPARK initiative became afestival organised by the Government of West Bengal with SPARK on the advisory committee. Further, research conducted by IIM Joka, ETH Basel, and local institutions revealed that students, rather than diners, were the primary users of Park Street, leading to its rebranding as“Knowledge Street.”Heritage walks, art camps, quizzes, and cultural festivals were introduced, reinforcing its identity as a center of learning and creativity. The festival also expanded to celebrate Kolkata’s diverse culinary heritage and music scene.
Park Street’s resurgence is a testament to the power of urban planning and placemaking. The transformation was driven by an understanding that the street was not just a commercial hub but a cultural and educational epicenter. Studies revealed that students, rather than diners, formed the primary user base, leading to the rebranding of Park Street as Knowledge Street. Engaging the youth was crucial, and initiatives like heritage walks, college fests, history hunts, and vintage rides instilled a sense of ownership and pride in the younger generation.
Simultaneously, the changing demographics necessitated a focus on inclusivity. With the dwindling presence of Kolkata’s once-thriving Jewish, Armenian, Parsi, and Anglo-Indian communities, cultural festivals and food fairs were introduced to preserve and celebrate their legacy. Music, an intrinsic part of Park Street’s identity, bridged generations with a bilingual street anthem featuring both young and veteran artists.
The impact was visible—heritage buildings were restored, global brands returned, and even the neglected South Park Street Cemetery underwent much-needed conservation. SPARK’s collaboration with institutions like the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival further solidified Park Street’s role as an intellectual and cultural landmark. During the pandemic, the established community networks transformed into support systems, proving the resilience of this revitalized urban ecosystem.
Park Street’s journey exemplifies how thoughtful urban renewal, backed by policy and community engagement, can bring a street back to life. Park Street stands as an enduring symbol of Kolkata’s vibrancy, history, and future. So, as you stroll down its storied lanes, take a moment to reflect on its transformation and the collective spirit that made it possible.
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