Jaipur’s original market layout, conceived over 300 years ago under Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, is once again in the spotlight. The city’s historic bazaars were designed with purpose — every street, lane, and bazaar block served trade, conversation, and accessibility. Today, city authorities and traders are revisiting this heritage urban design as a solution to perennial challenges: chronic traffic, encroachment, and limited parking in the old city.

Reviving this trade-based planning involves preserving the old “pedestrian-priority” ethos: narrow streets optimized for foot traffic, organized shops mixed with residential zones, and a walkable urban grid. Proponents argue that these features can ease congestion while retaining Jaipur’s cultural identity. At the same time, they hope to integrate modern infrastructure — regulated parking, better sanitation, and smarter traffic flows. This re-focus is not just about nostalgia. For Jaipur, it’s a pragmatic attempt to balance heritage and commerce, breathing new life into historic markets while solving concrete urban problems.