Geospatial Assessment of Transformations under TOD: Case of Pune

Abstract

Urban growth in Indian cities has increasingly shifted towards transit-oriented development (TOD) as a strategy to promote sustainable, compact, and accessible urban forms. The introduction of metro systems in cities like Pune has significantly influenced surrounding land use patterns, mobility structures, and urban development intensity. In this context, the District Court Metro Station area serves as a critical case for understanding the interaction between transit infrastructure and urban transformation. This thesis examines the spatial transformation and mobility dynamics of the District Court Metro Station TOD influence area in Pune. The study integrates land cover and built form analysis with mobility and accessibility assessment using GIS-based spatial techniques. The land use transformation analysis evaluates changes in built-up areas, green spaces, urban density, and amenity distribution, highlighting a trend toward increased urban consolidation and redevelopment near transit corridors. The built form analysis further reveals intensification of development and morphological changes influenced by accessibility. In addition, the mobility and accessibility chapter assesses street network structure, intersection density, transit node influence, parking distribution, and pedestrian infrastructure. The findings indicate that while the study area exhibits strong accessibility near the metro station, it also shows fragmented pedestrian networks, uneven connectivity, and significant reliance on on-street parking. These conditions reflect a transitional urban environment with emerging TOD characteristics but incomplete integration. Based on the spatial analysis, the thesis proposes a set of strategic interventions including feeder connectivity improvements, pedestrian network enhancement, traffic calming measures, green infrastructure development, parking rationalization, and mixed-use redevelopment strategies. These proposals aim to strengthen last-mile connectivity, improve walkability, and promote a more integrated and sustainable urban structure. The study concludes that the District Court Metro Station area demonstrates partial but evolving TOD characteristics, where transit accessibility strongly influences urban form and activity concentration. However, achieving full TOD potential requires targeted improvements in multimodal integration, pedestrian infrastructure, and land-use planning.