ABSTRACT
The robust pace of urbanization in India has demanded a bigger push for livable initiatives and interventions in recent years. Livability is now a pre-requisite for healthy living, as well as economic and social survival, and is thus critical for increasing life quality. Because livability involves a wide range of elements that are dependent on local economic, social, and cultural situations, it is vital to contextualize livability by looking beyond basic attributes. The capacity of local city administrations to meet the needs of the people is considerably outpaced by the development in urban population concentration. Inadequate infrastructure, diminishing resources, slum concentration, rising poverty, and environmental degradation, all of which are accompanied by massive social and economic inequities, are only a few of the pressing challenges that must be addressed immediately. Hence, Ease of Living Index was created to cater and resolve the aforementioned issues and make the city more livable for the people. Ease of Living Index is a tool to measure aspects of livability.
This research aims to understand and assess the livability at the neighborhood level (TP Scheme) in which qualitative and quantitative aspects are considered. For the purpose of this research, a neighborhood in Vadodara is selected as the study area. A phase-wise study is carried out wherein in the first phase, resident’s survey was carried out. Simultaneously primary observations were noted, and government agencies were interviewed.
In the second stage, the responses, comments, and observation data were retrieved and transcribed. The common elements and key aspects emerging from residents’ opinions of livability were identified through an iterative data interpretation procedure. Finally, summarization of data collected was done wherein calculation and evaluation were carried out. Gaps were identified and livability of the neighborhood was calculated.
The research concludes with an understanding of the mechanism for TP formulation and recommending changes in the process itself to ensure that the TP strives for habitability from its inception. Furthermore, this research also proposes a mechanism to maintain its habitability aspect via regular checks and retrofitting strategies. The research hopes to contribute toward more livable cities by achieving dynamic and habitable neighborhoods.
