Reasoning the social benefits of mixed land-use and population density in an Indian city

Abstract

Mixed land-use and higher population densities are endorsed in many urban planning concepts as crucial elements for urban vitality. They are said to make urban streets active due to the presence of people, leading to public vigilance and improved feeling of safety on streets. Moreover, higher densities and mixed land-uses are also said to promote social interactions and walkability. Indian cities are inherently mix and dense, and therefore, the noted benefits in the literature need to be verified in this local context. In this research, through the empiric al study of eight study areas of Pune, India, the efficacy of social benefits of mixed land-uses and population densities is established. A mixed land-use index for the selected study areas was computed to represent the mixed land-use intensities. Satisfaction levels of the residents regarding the presumed social benefits were surveyed and collated as urban vitality. The relationship between urban vitality and mixed land-uses and population densities is established through curvilinear (quadratic) regression analysis explained by parabola shape. The results of this study reveal that mixed land-uses and higher population densities initially lead to an increase in urban vitality to an extent and then reduce again with intense mixed land-use and high population density. Population density between 12000 to 14000 persons per square kilometer is most suited to achieve urban vitality.