The word street simply meant a paved road. A street name is an identifying name given to a street/road. Topology of a city/village includes feature of road networks. Topology refers to properties, such as the connection of roads, but not only through their axes or reference lines, but also at the level of lanes. The street name usually forms part of the address of people living there. Buildings are given plot numbers along the street to further help identify them. Odonymy is the study of road names from a historical and linguistic point of view.
As per Wikipedia, in Medieval England, road names developed gradually, helping to identify a place such as a pond, a hilly place or river, the farm at the end of the road, or the inn in the corner of road. Other streets were named to locate where you might reach if you followed them. For example, London Road, Bath Road.
The most common road name in India is Mahatma Gandhi Road. Almost every town in India has a road named after Mahatma Gandhi, as a token of respect towards him. Agra has 2 roads named after Mahatma Gandhi – Mahatma Gandhi Road I and Mahatma Gandhi Road II. To name a street after a person is a universally accepted way of publicly honouring that person’s accomplishments and his contribution to society. In India where every city has street named after Mahatma Gandhi Rad (MG Road) is a clear indication that this individual has played a big role in Indian history. Similarly Ambedkar Road, Laxmi Road, Swami Vivekanand Roads are common names in India.
Street names help us figure out where we are, talk about where we have been, and establish whether we are heading in the right direction. This is of course true both literally and symbolically. n 2008, when Google Maps launched in India, turn-by-turn directions were unusable as some streets didn’t have names. They discovered that many communities in India rely on landmarks instead of street names for navigating. So, they adapted the product to use landmarks as a reference point for navigation.
Streets take their names from people, places, events Nepean Sea Road, Ramabai Road, Ramdas Nayak Road, Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link Road are some famous roads these roads are famous because they are strategically situated in the city. Napean Sea road has some of the expansive and the most expensive apartments in Mumbai. Ramdas Nayak road is basically an arterial road running through Mumbai that connects the intersection near Bandra Railway Station and S V Road. It is officially known as Ramdas Nayak Road but is called Hill Road because it goes over a hilly slope. This area of Bandra is famous for street shopping, eating and hanging out. The Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link , popularly known as Bandra Worli Sea Link is the first sea bridge of India. The cable stayed sections of this bridge , the tall towers along which the cables take support. Pandita Ramabai Saraswati was an Indian social reformer who worked for liberation of women. She was accorded the titles of Pandita and Saraswati as a Sanskrit scholar after being examined by faculty of the University of Calcutta.
Roads get names because of geographically, historically, sociologically and politically. After India became independent in 1947, Congress party leaders set about building the nation. This involved a lot of coming up with new names and changing colonial ones. Their approach valued clarity over creativity. While there are over 100 cities and towns which have been renamed or respelled after Indian Independence in 1947, we look at a few of the famous ones. Bombay was renamed as Mumbai in 1996, similarly Poona was renamed as Pune.
Some streets are named after famous or distinguished individuals, sometimes people directly associated with the street, usually after their deaths. A street name is the initial building block for any address. Any new street name should be distinctly different to any other existing street name in the local area. Street names help us figure out where we are, talk about where we have been, and ascertain whether we’re heading in the right direction. This is of course true both literally and figuratively. While not as critical as regulatory signs, street name signs convey important information to emergency service providers where seconds count. Street name signs are valuable when people are trying to find an address to deliver a package or visit a friend.
Some street names reflect the collective commemorative decisions of municipalities and, as such, can be used as substitutes for their social and cultural characteristics, which is particularly useful given the scarcity of cultural data at the local level. When it comes to new and modern urban planning, developers are typically responsible for naming streets in the new neighbourhoods they build. They often choose street names based on certain traits they want people to associate with the neighbourhood. Sometimes, they name new streets after loved ones.
A well-designed public realm with good street characteristics can positively influence liveability and adaptability, and lead to safe community, interactive streets, healthy living, and better environmental conditions.
Some road names are hilarious. There is road named “Condom Street” in Kolkata. Although, its original name was Moti Sil Street. But due to number of Medical Stores selling “Family Planning” stuff, it’s now called Condom Street. Lover’s Lane (Mumbai) – a peculiar street name that evokes a romantic vibe, often hanging around by couples. Kuchh Bhi Road (Bhopal) – Translating to “Anything Road,” this name reflects a casual, laid-back attitude. Happy Street (Pune) – A cheerful name that suggests a vibrant and lively atmosphere. Bhookha Nanga Road (Indore) – Meaning “Hungry and Naked Road,” this name is quite unusual and reflects local humour.
