An Evaluation Framework for Sustainable Urban Streets (SUS) in India: The Case Study of Bengaluru City

Abstract

Sustainable Urban Streets (SUS) are being developed to address the sustainability concerns raised due to the global urbanization, by balancing environmental, economic, social, and design variables in street design. This paper aims to develop an evaluation framework for SUS in Indian metropolitan cities, specifically focusing on Bangalore, by utilizing these four parameters. A questionnaire was developed to determine the overall performance of the streets and assess the applicability of the evaluation framework, followed by a preliminary survey on a specific street, conducted by a user and an expert. The survey results of an expert and fifty street users were cross-referenced to establish system reliability and neutrality. Finally, the research developed evaluation frameworks for Bengaluru's streets, which are applicable to other Indian metropolises. The results showed that the selected street scored 4.58 out of 10, indicating a mediocre ranking. This SUS evaluation framework is the first one to consider the four sustainability parameters and can assist urban planners in identifying street concerns, and decision-makers in comparing and quantifying various development options. This study intends to promote sustainable practices in urban street design, assessment, and evaluation in Indian metropolitan cities.