Development of site suitability framework for urban greenspace: a case study of Sikar city, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Greenspaces are crucial in enhancing the standard of living, environmental sustainability, and overall well-being of urban populations. It serves the goal of providing thermal comfort, restoring the environment’s ecological balance, and climatic modification within the urban fabric. However, allocating and distributing these valuable resources often involve complex environmental, social, economic, and spatial considerations. Factors like built-up density, land use, land cover, slope, and distance from roads, greenspaces and water bodies have been adopted as the criterion for the site suitability of green space. This paper proposes a structured approach using these factors that integrates quantitative analyses and advanced spatial modelling to guide informed decisions, foster inclusivity, and optimize the benefits of greenspace provisioning and distribution. The study employed a geographic information system (GIS) based Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach to determine the optimal locations for allocating greenspaces within urban planning. The study deeply analyzed the existing land use of Sikar city and found 47.23 ha of land parcels suitable for allocating greenspace based on the six factors mentioned above. The analysis reveals that, among the 49.23 hectares of suitable areas, 48% of the land parcels are less than 0.5 hectares in size. These parcels are predominantly unplanned and situated away from the city centre. There’s also a lack of the possibility of large green spaces in the city’s central area due to the non-availiability of vacant land. By synthesizing empirical data, case studies, and existing literature, this research paper outlines a robust methodology to support urban planners, policymakers, and stakeholders in making informed choices that promote sustainable urban development and a higher quality of life.