Beyond tackling the immediate need for repairs along Marine Drive, the refurbishment project has addressed concerns and issues that arise from Marine Drive's geographic location, its surrounding environment and its cultural and social significance.

Bricks and Mortar
The designs solutions used are non-intrusive so as to maintain the image and brand of Marine Drive. They include structural features designed to endure environmental conditions along the promenade as well as detailing to ensure aesthetics, user comfort and durability. At the master plan level, the design solution addresses concerns regarding safety of pedestrian traffic and handicap access. These details are included in every physical element of the promenade.

Sea Wall - The sea wall is clad in double dressed granite stone slabs to ensure durability and includes details to enhance ergonomic comfort and drainage of sea and rain water from the lower seat.

Footpath - The surfaces of the East and West promenade have been paved in high durability concrete paving in three shades of gray. The pattern provides for differentiated lanes that can be used by fast and slow walkers. The inclusion of ramps in the footpath design also allows for handicap access. Distance markers at ever 100 meters for people walking in either direction have been engraved into the footpath in granite and do not obstruct the walk way. The pavement has been constructed with a gentle slope that allows sea and rain water to run off into the storm water drains along the edge of the footpath. Easy access to underground utilities has been provided by using flexi pavers in concrete and space for future utilities and has been provided in order to minimize the need for digging and future repair work. The need for digging to erect temporary barricading during festivals has also been eliminated by the provision of holes along the edge of the footpath.

Median - The basic parameters upon which the median design was based included:

• Uniformity of design
• Functionality
• Modularity
• Durability of materials
• Visibility of sea view
• Barrier free
• Aesthetic
• Vandal proof
• Ease of construction
• Sustainable and durable landscaping

The median has been constructed with regular intervals for pedestrian crossing. These intervals have been strategically placed in consultation with the Traffic Police in order to discourage jaywalking and enhance both pedestrian and vehicular safety.

Oases - Based on a detailed shade study we concluded that the palms were not providing adequate shade during the hottest hours of the day. At the same time, they required high maintenance and were arranged in an irregular manner that obstructed the walking path. The oases have therefore been designed to eliminate these two major issues and include sea facing seating, bus stops, signage street furniture and other amenities clustered at regular intervals alongside shade giving landscaping.

Educated Environment
The refurbishment process includes a concerted effort to enhance the quality of environment along the promenade in order to minimize the environmental impact of the project and improve the experience of its users. This effort includes:

• Use of sustainable, non-polluting materials for the sea wall, footpath, median and other elements of the promenade

• Indigenous plant varieties that can withstand seaside climates and require little maintenance

• Establishing of experience zones and oases which provide improved physical environments and creation of visual silence by removing advertisements and hoardings.

Social Architecture
In addition to remaking physical aspects of the promenade, the refurbishment process has also served as an opportunity to encourage citizen participation in the project. Through the Design Review and Project Management Committee (DRPMC), citizens have been actively engaged with government authorities as well as the architects in determining the course of the project. This has helped foster a sense of responsibility and ownership in both the citizens and the government and has generated cooperation in the completion of the project and planning for future maintenance.