Develop pedestrian based TOD index to measure TOD-levels in brownfield areas of Noida

Abstract

Transit-oriented development (TOD), by integrating land-use planning with transit system is gaining importance in Indian Metropolitan cities as a new urbanism strategy however, lack of similar research for large satellite towns like Noida with medium to high densities is lacking. This paper attempts to assess and measure TOD based-pedestrian mobility by performing a land-usage QGIS-based 500 meters walkability buffer analysis across 6 consecutive TOD stations in Noida operational since 2009 based on identified TOD indicators characterized as urban development characteristics (density, diversity and design) and transport characteristics (destination accessibility, distance to transit station and travel demand management), combined into TOD index using Spatial multiple-criteria analysis (SMCA), which influence pedestrian movement in and around TOD station areas. Determining pedestrian accessibility to navigate and access wide range of mixed land uses falling within walkable limits from transit station using explicitly spatial types of analyses has still been lacking in smart efforts towards TOD projects. Methodology used for this study is based on quantifying TOD-ness around existing Noida Transit station areas using TOD index, calculated using SMCA to measure walkability levels with urban planning and express TOD-ness and potential development of these TOD station areas. The results show calculation done for various TOD indicators influencing pedestrian accessibility in and around metro station areas and identify on ground issues impeding TOD based local pedestrian accessibility in Noida. Conclusion assigns TOD typology to all the six metro stations based on the surrounding land-uses, activities and the role each station is performing in the transit corridor.