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GIS Approach to Assess Walkability in Bangalore City (M.Sc. Thesis, 2017)

Overview

This project developed a Walkability Index for Bangalore using GIS-based spatial analysis. It combined population density, land-use diversity, street connectivity, and destination proximity to objectively assess walkability across all municipal wards in ArcGIS. The work produced an evidence-based framework for identifying pedestrian barriers, planning priorities, and urban mobility opportunities in the 2017 context.

Study Area: Bangalore City, India
Duration: 2017
Role: M.Sc. Thesis Research
Status: Completed

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Methods & Tools

Data Sources

  • Publicly available spatial and demographic datasets for Bangalore
  • Ward-level administrative boundaries
  • Land-use, street network, and destination datasets compiled from multiple public sources

Processing Steps

  1. Collected and integrated multi-source public datasets.
  2. Standardized spatial layers and normalized built environment indicators.
  3. Modeled walkability using population density, land-use diversity, street connectivity, and destination proximity.
  4. Evaluated ward-level patterns to identify barriers and opportunities for pedestrian-friendly planning.

Tools Used

Tool Purpose
ArcGIS Spatial analysis and index construction
GIS data processing workflows Data integration and normalization
Statistical / geospatial modeling Indicator scoring and comparison across wards

Key Findings

  • Generated a ward-level Walkability Index for Bangalore using objective spatial indicators.
  • Identified neighborhoods with stronger pedestrian-supportive urban form and areas with structural walkability deficits.
  • Demonstrated a replicable GIS framework that can be adapted for other Indian cities.
  • Supported pedestrian-friendly planning and urban mobility assessment in the 2017 context.

Impact

The thesis provided evidence-based recommendations for improving urban walkability and pedestrian planning in Bangalore. It also established a reusable analytic template for evaluating walkability in other Indian cities. Since 2017, urban transformation and policy shifts may have altered local walkability conditions, so the findings should be read as a historical baseline rather than a current assessment.