Copenhagen Chose Calm, Lal Chowk Can Too

By Hidayat Bukhari

Cities everywhere are rethinking how people move through their busiest streets.

From Istanbul’s Sultanahmet to the walkable promenades of Copenhagen, the idea stays the same: a city works best when its heart breathes, instead of choking on traffic.

As Srinagar plans its own mobility shift, especially around Lal Chowk and nearby markets, the global push for clean energy, shared transport, and people-friendly spaces feels more important than ever.

Srinagar’s historic centre sees tens of thousands of people every day. Students rush to classes, office workers squeeze through tight schedules, families visit hospitals, shopkeepers lift their shutters, and tourists arrive to feel the pulse of the city.

On a typical weekday, around 35,000 to 40,000 vehicles enter the wi