USING GIS MEASURES TO ANALYZE THE SPATIAL EQUITY TO PUBLIC PAKISTAN IN LAHORE METROPOLITAN

Abstract

Public parks are considered as the prime community assets that provide places for the citizens to enjoy and spend their leisure time. Parks can serve as the primary source not only incorporating physical activities but also improving quality of life of residents. Equitable access to these services is one of the major concerns worldwide. However, a little attention is paid, in this regard, in the local context. This paper utilizes GIS tools and analyzes the equitable access to urban parks in the Lahore Metropolitan Area, with reference to its spatial distribution. The measures of access for the parks are computed for population depending upon the type of facility at the administrative Zone level. The accessibility to parks is measured using walking distance impedance and proximity analysis tool. The study further evaluates the spatial distribution of parks about population density and examine if differences are observed across different administrative Zones in the Metropolitan. The least served areas and populations have been derived in spatial context across the study area. Moreover, maps prepared using hotspot analysis in GIS help to visually identify the spatial disparities and compare the differences among different administrative Zones in the study area. It allows understanding of how different parks in the metropolitan are distributed through space, and hence help in combating inequitable access. The results of this research can assist the planning authorities in identifying the spatial gaps in accessibility and addressing the needs for improving the accessibility to public parks across different Zones in the Metropolitan.