Measuring Concentration and Deconcentration of Urban Form: A Case Study of Rajkot

Abstract

The concept of compact city development has always been a guiding principle for modern day urban planning and has constantly being practiced in most of the developing and developed nations due to its embedded philosophy of having a socially interactive society without urban sprawl. Efficient use of land, protection of environment, reducing trip length of commuters are some of the key benefits, which has been highlighted by the urban planners. This paper attempts to study the evolution of Rajkot city through its built form and the degree of compactness from the last couple of decades to its present stage. Measuring the degree of compactness and urban form becomes essential for decision-making process in the development plan preparation of the city as well as for proposing alternative plan principles as per the vision of the policy makers and the community. In this study, census population data of the last three decades for Rajkot Municipal Corporation Area has been analyzed for measuring the degree of compactness of the city and pattern of spatial growth. In the case of Rajkot city, the study indicates that the city has dispersed with the passage of time and hence the urban managers needs to needs to understand this underlying phenomenon responsible for existing built form of the city and formulate visions and strategies for sustainable development of the city.