Asmita Kanav’s research while affiliated with Central University of Haryana and other places

Urbanization and rapid population growth in Indian cities have brought about significant challenges in maintaining a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability. Green spaces are known to play a vital role in enhancing the quality of urban life, restoring ecological balance, and promoting the well-being of people. Although the benefits of urban green space are well established, researchers and policymakers are still debating their implementation strategies. Research has developed green infrastructure planning principles to assist professionals with planning techniques to aid in these conversations. Thus, this chapter aims to delve into the fundamental green space planning principles that are essential for achieving sustainable urban development. We begin by highlighting the pressing need for sustainable urban development in Indian cities, where issues such as air and water pollution, congestion, and inadequate lifestyles have become pervasive. In response to these challenges, we critically examine six key green space planning principles, established through previous research that serve as a comprehensive framework for guiding sustainable urban development strategies; namely: connectivity, multi-functionality, multi-scale, integration, participation, and continuity. These principles enable green space planning to interweave into a city’s master plan. Through a comprehensive review of the literature and case studies, this research provides a simple understanding of these green space planning principles and their specific relevance to sustainable development. By demystifying these principles, the chapter equips urban planners, policymakers, and stakeholders with a valuable toolkit to navigate the intricate challenges of urbanization and promote sustainable living environments that prioritize human well-being as well as ecological balance.

This study aims to explore how green spaces can serve vulnerable populations more effectively. While the benefits of green spaces for health and well-being are well documented, disparities in their utilization unfairly impact vulnerable populations. We focus on four specific vulnerable groups: women, older adults, children and people with disabilities, and analyze their preferences in green spaces. By conducting a systematic literature review, relevant studies published between 2016 and 2023 and indexed by Web of Science and Scopus were identified. Our inclusion criteria were met by a total of 64 studies across 38 different countries, which underwent a narrative synthesis. The results reveal distinct needs and preferences for facilities, safety interventions, activities, social interaction and landscape design among the different groups. The contextual nuances found in the studies suggest that regional studies employing mixed methods and accounting for a variety of sociodemographic identities hold promise for enhancing the inclusivity of green spaces. For future research, a focus on increasing the attractiveness of green spaces for vulnerable people rather than just ensuring accessibility and usability is recommended. The findings shall inform practitioners in creating green spaces that promote inclusivity, functionality and well-being, and cater to diverse needs.

The rapid pace of urbanization and increasing urban density in India has led to critical concern about the sustainability and livability of urban environments. In the city of Gurugram, public open spaces (POS) like parks and playgrounds are limited, highlighting the problem regarding their availability and accessibility. This study analyzes the current distribution of POS in the city of Gurugram at the ward level and compares the existing situation with national planning guidelines. It also aims to identify the population served by POS and the areas deficit in POS provision. The analysis reveals a deficit in per-capita POS at the city level, which stands at 3.14 m2 and shows high variability across different wards. A significant gap in the provision of housing area and neighborhood level POS was observed. The accessibility index calculated using Geographic Information System (GIS) based network analysis, reveals uneven access patterns across the city, with five wards lacking POS accessibility for residents, located primarily in central and southern-central areas. None of the wards of the city had all of its area serviced by POS, and only six wards had above 50 percent of the population residing in area serviced. These findings emphasize the need for strategic interventions to ensure universal access to POS, aligning with the sustainable development goals for urban areas.

The industrial and economic development has initiated the rapid growth of small and medium-sized towns in India. Rewari City, a part of the National Capital Region of India, is undergoing rapid urban expansion. This study analyzes the process of urban expansion in Rewari city, its effect on land use & land cover dynamics and landscape spatial patterns. The methodology of the study is reliant on open-source Landsat satellite data, GIS-based unsupervised classification, and spatial metrics analysis. The city expansion has been analyzed for a period of 31 years, from 1989 to 2020, and population growth has been studied since 1901. Within the study period, built-up area increased by 704%, with an annual expansion rate of 12.8 %. The other land cover classes, such as agriculture land, vegetation, barren land, and water bodies shrank in size over the years. Between 1989 and 2020, 69.4 % of the increase in built up area came at the expense of vegetation and agricultural land. It was also found that per capita land consumption rate increased significantly from 0.0024 to 0.0084, hinting towards dispersed and low-density development. Built-up land had a growth rate nearly 5 times higher than population, indicating urban sprawl. An evaluation of different landscape metrics revealed that the landscape of Rewari has lost land use diversity. The findings of this study offer information about the present state of urban growth. It also serves as a valuable resource for formulating comprehensive planning and development policies, ensuring the promotion of sustainable urban development.