http://dspace.spab.ac.in:80/handle/123456789/555 URP Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:00:52 GMT 2026-04-06T12:00:52Z http://http://192.168.4.5:80/retrieve/21dfbc78-86b6-4592-bc4b-405e5414ba48/urp.jpg http://dspace.spab.ac.in:80/handle/123456789/555 http://dspace.spab.ac.in:80/handle/123456789/2717 Title: Assessing the impact of urban development on landslide susceptibility: a case of Shimla Authors: Dogra, Rivani. Abstract: Landslides are one of the major destructive disasters in Shimla, causing loss of life, loss of livelihood, infrastructure damage, etc. Landslides increase every year due to increasing population and human activities. As per the Shimla Development Plan, Shimla was planned for a population of 25,000. However, post-independence, the rapid population growth exceeded the decided population. The increasing population, along with the tourists, increases the pressure and makes the city more vulnerable. Urban development is making the city develop, but more vulnerable to landslides. The study aims to assess the impact of urban development on landslide susceptibility, with key objectives to identify the urbanization changes over time and to identify vulnerable areas by conducting a landslide susceptibility analysis. Landslide susceptibility analysis is conducted to analyse how the susceptibility has increased with the increase in urban development. GIS-based spatial analysis, statistical methods, and historical landslide data are used to establish a complete understanding of the dynamic interaction between anthropogenic activities and landslide vulnerability. Road construction, construction activities, and deforestation are the human-impacted parameters, and slope, elevation, aspect, plan curvature, profile curvature, precipitation, and drainage systems are the parameters that represent the geographical features of the study area. Data collection and questionnaire formation are based on the selected parameters. Cochran's formula is used to determine the sample size for the perception survey at the landslide location with landslide I and landslide III categories. Simple random method and snowball method were used to conduct the survey. Data collection from residents and the various offices for analysing the cause and impact of landslides. Construction in the past few years occurred on steep slopes without adequate safety measures or drainage planning, increasing surface runoff and triggering slope failures. Field surveys and stakeholder surveys further validated these findings, they mentioned that deforestation, construction activities, poor drainage maintenance, and slope weakening due to road construction as major contributing factors. The frequency ratio method is used for landslide susceptibility analysis. 14 factors are identified in the analysis. Slope, elevation, aspect, plan curvature, profile curvature, Land Use Land Cover, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Normalized Difference Built-up Index, stream power index, topographic wetness index, lithology, distance from roads, distance from faults, and rainfall with landslide inventory are the factors used for landslide susceptibility analysis. Landslide susceptibility analysis has been done in two parts to assess the landslide susceptibility change in the past ten years in the city. The analysis shows the impact of urban development on landslide susceptibility. The initial part of the landslide susceptibility analysis is between the years 2015 to 2019, and another is between 2020-2025, with the dynamic parameters as Land Use Land Cover, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Normalized Difference Built-up Index, and Landslides inventory. Urban development in the last five years has increased rapidly, and the consequence of this has also been seen. Landslides in the years 2020-2025 have increased, and the 2023 landslides are the best example of this. Proposed projects increase the risk of landslides in the city. After analysing the susceptibility change of the past ten years, the prediction of landslide susceptibility analyses is conducted for upcoming projects in the city. Additional factors used for predictive susceptibility are the distance to the proposed road, distance from new local bus stands, distance from multi-level parking, distance from real estate projects, distance from ropeway stations, distance from 4-lane road construction, and distance from tunnels. It is analysed that the construction of the new projects increases the susceptibility of the city. The elimination of some projects from the existing proposals by the government is proposed to minimize the risk of landslides in the city. No construction zones are proposed to restrict the growing construction. These zones are based on the high landslide susceptibility area identified. Keywords: Landslides, Susceptibility, Urban Development, Slope Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://dspace.spab.ac.in:80/handle/123456789/2717 2025-05-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.spab.ac.in:80/handle/123456789/2716 Title: Planning strategies for the last mile delivery drivers: a case study of Sonipat Authors: Rohit Abstract: The rapid expansion of the gig economy, particularly within the e-commerce and logistics sectors, has introduced new challenges and opportunities for urban spatial planning in India. Exploring the spatial and infrastructural implications of gig-based last-mile delivery systems in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, with a focused case study on Sonipat, Haryana. As digital platforms redefine urban logistics by leveraging flexible labour, traditional planning frameworks often fall short in accommodating their dynamic spatial demands. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating spatial mapping, field observations, stakeholder interviews, and policy analysis, to assess how the existing transportation networks and land use configurations influence the operational efficiency of gig workers. Findings reveal significant disparities between the urban core and peripheral zones, with bottlenecks in accessibility, infrastructure provisioning, and regulatory oversight. The research underscores the informal and fragmented nature of gig workspaces, the lack of dedicated infrastructure for delivery operations, and the emerging land-use transformations driven by warehousing and micro-distribution hubs. In response, a set of spatial planning interventions—such as adaptive zoning, mobility enhancements, and policy integration frameworks—that aim to foster equitable, efficient, and sustainable logistics ecosystems in small and medium-sized urban centres. Keywords- Gig economy, Last-mile delivery, urban logistics, spatial planning and urban periphery Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://dspace.spab.ac.in:80/handle/123456789/2716 2025-05-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.spab.ac.in:80/handle/123456789/2715 Title: Policy assessment for urban flood management with contextual considerations: a case study of Bilaspur city Authors: Patel, Aditi. Abstract: Urban areas globally are facing escalating threats from flooding, a consequence of rapid urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, and the intensifying impacts of climate change. This vulnerability is particularly pronounced in rapidly developing nations like India, where burgeoning urban centres often grapple with a complex interplay of factors that exacerbate flood risks. Although recognized by authorities through various policies and action plans, major gaps remain in implementation, coordination, and local relevance. This study addresses these shortcomings and contributes to the urban development discourse by advocating for context-sensitive policy reforms and improved governance mechanisms. Effective urban flood management is no longer a standalone issue but an integral component of sustainable urban development. It necessitates a holistic approach that not only addresses the immediate hydrological factors but also considers the resilience of urban infrastructure against climate change and natural disasters. This study aims to revisit existing policies and guidelines for urban flood management to evaluate their contextual relevance and explore the scope for localized policy interventions. It begins by assessing the structure and content of current policies, guidelines, and action plans related to urban flood disaster management. The research then examines the implementation status of these policies, identifying critical gaps between policy intent and ground-level execution. It investigates the coordination mechanisms among various government departments and agencies responsible for urban flood management, highlighting the institutional and operational challenges they face. Based on these analyses, the study proposes evidence-based suggestions to strengthen policy frameworks, improve inter-agency coordination, and the implementation capacity for more effective and resilient urban flood management. Recommendations include promoting green infrastructure, improving governance frameworks, and advancing community participation to build a resilient urban flood management system tailored to Bilaspur's distinctive setting. This case study offers acumen for policymakers and urban planners in developing sustainable strategies for managing urban floods in similar settings. Keywords: Urban flood management, sustainable urban development, policy implementation, governance mechanisms, localized policy interventions. Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://dspace.spab.ac.in:80/handle/123456789/2715 2025-05-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.spab.ac.in:80/handle/123456789/2714 Title: Enhancing walkability in pilgrim routes: a case study of Kashi ( Vanarasi) Authors: Kushwaha, Sourabh. Abstract: India, known for its diverse religious traditions, has been a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians for centuries. Pilgrimage in India is deeply rooted in spiritual beliefs, rituals, and the idea of seeking moksha (liberation), blessings, or penance. The significant growth of pilgrims visiting sacred sites from the last few decades has increased tremendously, highlighting the challenges of overcrowding, congestion, infrastructure deficiency, etc. City like Kashi (Varanasi) knows as the cultural capital and being the world’s oldest continually inhabited city, is also considered one of the Saptapuris, i.e., the ‘seven sacred cities’ of ancient India seen heavy tourist footfall due to its religious importance. Kashi is also famous for its pilgrimage i.e., Panchkoshi yatra, where the pilgrim’s circumambulation of whole Varanasi city through walking. Walking has been an inseparable and sacred aspect of pilgrimage across cultures and religions, creating the walkable environment is important for enhance the spiritual journey. Walking is the major mode of transportation for the pilgrims in their spiritual journey. Walkability, defined as the extent to which the built environment supports and encourages walking, is crucial for pilgrims who rely on pedestrian routes to reach religious destinations. This study explores the walkability challenges faced by pilgrims in Kashi, like inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, overcrowding, absence of sidewalk, etc. In this study, assessing pedestrian level of service which includes the flow rate and space available for pedestrian, and calculating walkability index through identified parameters from literature review. These parameters helped in accessing the infrastructure availability on site through interviews and site observation. Pedestrian LOS helps to analyze the space available for pedestrian movement, on the other hand walkability index identified a gap in pedestrian facilities. The study emphasizes the significance of pilgrim comfort, offering recommendations for design strategies and suggesting improving infrastructure facilities to enhance walkability along pilgrimage routes. Ultimately, this study contributes to a broader understanding of how walkability can enrich the pilgrimage experience while addressing issues of overcrowding, safety, and environmental sustainability. And highlighting the need for improved pedestrian infrastructure for enhancement of spiritual experience of pilgrims. Keywords: Walkability, Walkability index, Pilgrimage route, pedestrian Infrastructure Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://dspace.spab.ac.in:80/handle/123456789/2714 2025-05-01T00:00:00Z