ASSESSMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS USING GIS TECHNIQUES IN SHEIKHUPURA CITY

Abstract

Neighborhood Parks have great influence in the sustainability of any city and its accessibility with respect to public is a key factor in measuring the healthy demographic profile. This paper focuses on spatial distribution pattern of 11 existing neighborhood parks within the Sheikhupura city on the basis of road network accessibility. Accessibility has been measured on the basis of standard walk time impedance taken as 60 meters/ minute from residences to the parks. GIS network analysis based on connected road network dataset has been performed to calculate different time zones on the basis of impedance factor. The results showed that existing parks are serving less than 11% out of total population. The comparative statistical analysis also carried out using standard impact buffer distance of 0.5 miles which raised questions upon spatial distribution pattern as well as number of parks in the city. GIS techniques and methods provided helpful tools in analyzing accessibility of existing park facilities. The output can be used by decision making authorities to formulate plans for suitable park locations in the city.