ANNOUNCEMENTS
This thesis aims to examine that how green spaces contribute to enhancing urban resilience and livability, specifically focusing on Jaipur and Agra under India’s SCM (2015). As urban areas become increasingly dense and face escalating environmental issues, equitable access to parks, gardens, and open spaces is vital—not only for quality of life, but also for promoting public health, sustainability, and community resilience.
Using a blend of descriptive analysis and statistical modeling, this study explores key urban indicators across 30 wards in multiple cities, leveraging NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 datasets. The analysis focused on variables such as green space area, air quality, public health outcomes, and socio-economic factors were analyzed, and a composite Urban Livability Index (ULI) was developed using PCA.
The findings suggest that while both cities have shown slight improvements in green space since 2015, significant spatial inequalities persist—particularly on the outskirts. Additionally, elevated air pollution levels and rising obesity rates suggest that infrastructure improvement has not always led to translate into better environmental or health outcomes.
Areas with greater green space access showed stronger health improvements and socio-economic metrics, underscoring the crucial role of green infrastructure in creating resilient urban futures. This thesis advocates for the idea of inclusive urban planning that highly prioritizes green spaces as vital infrastructure, especially in cities facing social inequality and environmental challenges. By combining policy evaluation, empirical data, and personal experiences, this study offers practical insights for developing healthier and more resilient urban environments.
Keywords: Urban Resilience, Green Space, Smart City Mission, Livability, Jaipur, Agra, NFHS, Inclusive Planning.
