Design Thinking for making a case to improve access for Heritage Tourism at Banganga
Crafting a story to imrpove access for one of India's most ignored religious landmarks - Banganga
Location
Mumbai, India
Service
Storytelling
Year
2025
Collaborators
D-Ward, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
Role
Lead - Strategy, Design and Execution
Too often, projects stall because the information is scattered and the story fails to resonate. With D-Ward in Mumbai, we reframed the narrative - building an empathy-led case for improving access from the surrounding neighbourhoods to Banganga, Walkeshwar, a monument of deep historical and cultural significance.
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A detailed explanation of the road blocks in the access points to the Heritage Site | Credits: Aangi Shah
"A good story can change minds - anywhere, anytime"
When officials are told a compelling and authentic story, decision making comes from a place of empathy and is always guided in the favour of the public.
In the heart of Mumbai’s D Ward lies Banganga Tank - a thousand-year-old stepwell and a place of profound spiritual resonance. Yet, for many, reaching it is a journey marked by disjointed routes, roadblocks, and choke points that make the experience less about reverence and more about navigating obstacles.
We knew this story needed to be told differently. Not in the language of traffic counts and road widths alone, but through the eyes of the people who come here - the elderly pilgrim seeking peace, the family tracing their roots, the traveller stumbling upon a slice of living history. For them, the approach is as much a part of the experience as the destination itself.
Our role was to shape this human-first narrative. We gathered on-ground data, spoke to locals and visitors, mapped the barriers, and wove these insights into a compelling visual presentation. Each slide blended storytelling with evidence - from photographs that captured moments of quiet devotion to maps that revealed how small improvements in connectivity could restore dignity and ease to the journey.
This was more than a pitch; it was an invitation to reimagine access as a spiritual pathway, not just a road. Presented by the senior engineer to the Assistant Municipal Commissioner, the case received an enthusiastic go-ahead. The outcome was a testament to how empathy-led storytelling, when paired with clear data and thoughtful design, can unlock approvals for projects that matter - for people, for heritage, and for the soul of a city.
