Assessment of public open spaces (POS) and landscape quality in Delhi, India

What is it about?

The paper informed from the expert literature on urban green spaces as the most single important indicator of urban landscape quality evaluates the quality of urban landscape of a part of Delhi in terms of per capita availability of open and green spaces.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Green spaces are aesthetically significant, especially in a semi-humid environment. Apart from aesthetic value, these spaces provide a host of ecological services. They have a cooling effect on increasing temperature. Therefore, these take on an added significance in view of increasing temperature due to global warming and intensifying urban heat island because of the densification of cities and growing impervious surfaces. They offer an opportunity for leisure and mental peace and ease out stress as well as working out. They also have hydrological importance as these islands of penetrable surfaces allow recharge of aquifers. Open spaces offer an opportunity for cultural activity as fairs and entertainment through the organisation of drama etc or some religious function for the local community. Sometimes these are also used the temporary market place as well as children’s playground. In terms of services of the various kind provided by these places, they add to the quality of life of the people. In view of ongoing climate change, these spaces need a boost to depreciate impacts of climate change and create an outdoor comfortable thermal environment for wholesomeness.

Perspectives