Assessing the potential of urban parks for health-promoting physical activity: geospatial tools in planning for healthy city living in Kolkata

The impact of urban parks on the health and well-being of city residents is a well-researched agenda. A well-maintained urban park with a provision of amenities and facilities attracts people to engage in physical activities. Regular physical activity reduces the health risks of non-communicable diseases. However, in the wave of urbanization, park amenities, facilities, availability, accessibility, and well-designed landscapes have been declining rapidly due to improper maintenance, rapid land use change, and the lack of strategic planning and policy. Meanwhile, the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals set targets to ensure safe, inclusive, and universal access to greenery for all ages. The study aims to demarcate the potential zone of urban parks using geospatial techniques. This study is based on a field survey to record the data on the infrastructure of 752 urban parks in Kolkata. Moreover, the study found that park facilities were more influential than amenities. Finally, the study has developed a diagnostic planning model to enhance the attractiveness of parks to ensure universal and safe access to parks for performing health-promoting physical activities therefore getting health and well-being benefits.