Measuring Proximity Strength of Residential Land Use to Urban Recreation Space Using Gravity Model

In 2020 UNCHS recognised spatial sustainability as the fourth dimension of Sustainable development, with spatial equity and spatial density as sub-dimensions. Study focuses on proximity-a prime factor in spatial equity. Proximity strength is a term coined to measure the proximity of scattered resident population at the micro-level. Study assesses the residential zoning in terms of the proximity strength of residential areas to urban recreation space locations. An adaptation of the deterministic Gravity model is employed to measure the residences? proximity to recreation locations at micro-level. Malappuram, a medium town and North Paravur, a small town in Kerala, the Indian state, is selected for field application. The residential zonation of the master plans of these municipalities is evaluated with proximity strength. Study areas are modeled in the GIS platform with a grid pattern as suggested by the Delphi expert survey technique. The clustering of proximity strength of grids representing the resident population to recreation spaces is validated using spatial statistic Anselin Moran?s I. Malappuram Municipality?s value proximity strength of residential zones to recreation spaces is 0.464868. North Paravoor municipality areas, proximity strength value of residential land use parcels to recreation spaces is 0.365610. Logic is applicable to assess and compare the proximity of different urban land uses. Methodology is scalable to encompass any location specific facility in similar situations globally.