Identification of Ecological Open Spaces of Urban Areas for Smart City Development: A Case of Jabalpur City in Madhya Pradesh in India

Abstract

The birth of a human habitation starts from an idea of shelter in a natural place which satisfies the parameter of food, water and security. These centers in course of time expand and utilize the neighborhood resources for land, minerals, forests, water from ground and surface water bodies, etc. thereby depleting the original values and in the process ending all vital open spaces which were once the cause of genesis. Identification and conservation of vital ecological open spaces is necessary for sustainable growth of urban areas. Open spaces are many times looked upon as leftover spaces after planning of other spaces, and are not seen as elementary for survival of towns and cities. The methodology of identification of these spaces differs on project basis and is mostly non-scientific considering the important natural processes of these areas. The study proposes a methodology for identification of these essential ecological open spaces. The methodology is applied to an urban area, i.e. Jabalpur city of Madhya Pradesh in India and identifies the critical natural open spaces and their present status. Smart city initiative would be a major force in redeveloping Indian cities. The understanding and incorporation of smart open spaces in cities development can be crucial in success of this program. In the research paper the criteria’s for identifying ecological open spaces are studied and applied in a case of Jabalpur city of Madhya Pradesh in India. A baseline assessment of existing state of open spaces and problems is done. The outcome is a mapping of open spaces and identification of essential buffers to safeguard and conserve these ecosystems is provided.