Located in 23014'N latitude and 870 51’ E longitudes, Barddhaman, the Class I town (since 1961) is the head-quarter of the Barddhaman district, West Bengal, India. In term of size of population, the town ranked 13th in the state. Being site and situational advantages, this agriculturally prosperous town since its inception has been recognised as the seat of settled civilization. Urban open spaces are important component to sustainable living in urban areas as they provide environmental, social and economic benefits. Barddhaman town has 122 open space sites comprising an area of 193 ha (8.59%): some are used as playground and rest are vacant as non-used assets. The present work intends to build a framework for rational use of open spaces for the sustenance of the town. For the present study 20 of such open spaces have been selected and comparatively analysed on the basis of standard score of two variables: distance from CBD (1) and areal extent (2) to find out their economic and environmental significance. Finally, a proposal has made for the uses of open spaces to make the town sustainable.Key words: Open space, town, CBD, standard score, environment, sustainable tow

CHAKMA, Namita

GHOSH, Biswajit

English

Scientific Annals of "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iasi

  
ANALELE ŞTIINTIFICE ALE UNIVERSITĂŢII 
„ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA” din IAŞI 
SCIENTIFIC ANNALS OF 
“ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA” UNIVERSITY of IAŞI 
Tom LVIII, s. II – c, Geografie 2012 Vol. LVIII, s. II – c, Geography series 2012 
ISSN 1223-5334 (printed version) (online version) 2284-6379 e-ISSN 
  
© Author(s) 2012. CC Attribution 3.0 License 
 
 
 
 
DESIGNING URBAN OPEN SPACES OF BARDDHAMAN TOWN, WEST 
BENGAL, INDIA 
 
1
Namita CHAKMA and 
2Biswajit GHOSH 
1
Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Barddhaman,  
namitachakma@gmail.com 
2
Khorad Amena High School, Satghia, Barddhaman 
 
Abstract. Located in 23
0
14'N latitude and 87
0
 51’ E longitudes, Barddhaman, the 
Class I town (since 1961) is the head-quarter of the Barddhaman district, West Bengal, 
India. In term of size of population, the town ranked 13
th
 in the state. Being site and 
situational advantages, this agriculturally prosperous town since its inception has been 
recognised as the seat of settled civilization. Urban open spaces are important component to 
sustainable living in urban areas as they provide environmental, social and economic 
benefits. Barddhaman town has 122 open space sites comprising an area of 193 ha (8.59%): 
some are used as playground and rest are vacant as non-used assets. The present work 
intends to build a framework for rational use of open spaces for the sustenance of the town. 
For the present study 20 of such open spaces have been selected and comparatively 
analysed on the basis of standard score of two variables: distance from CBD (1) and areal 
extent (2) to find out their economic and environmental significance. Finally, a proposal has 
made for the uses of open spaces to make the town sustainable. 
 
Keywords: Open space, town, CBD, standard score, environment, sustainable town 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
Urban open spaces are important part of the urban landscape with its 
specific function. It contributes to the quality of urban life in many ways (Burke 
and Evans, 1999). According to Thompson, (2002) “open spaces are places in the 
city where cultural diversity intermingled with natural processes and conserve 
memories”. Open spaces play a vital role in maintaining sustainable cities. 
Sustainable development in cities is defined as “development that meets the needs 
of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet 
their own needs” (United Nations, 1987). Urban open spaces are providing benefits 
to the cities and their residents to advance to sustainability and improve the quality 
NAMITA CHAKMA AND BISWAJIT GHOSH 
238 
 
of life (Kim and Wentz, 2010).  Functions of open spaces can be point out as 
environmental and ecological function; social and societal function and structural 
and aesthetic function. Environmental and ecological function includes climatic 
amelioration, noise screening, influencing the hydrological cycle- storm water 
management and providing habitat for wild plants and animal. Social and societal 
functions include providing space and facilities for leisure and recreation, 
facilitating social contact and communication, access to and experience of nature 
and influencing human physical and psychological health and well-being. 
Structural and aesthetic functions include articulating, dividing and linking areas of 
the urban fabric, improving the legibility of the city, establishing a sense of place 
and acting as a carrier of identity, meaning and value (Francis, 1986).  
Urban open spaces are open landscape in the urban area like playground, 
parks, green spaces and other unused areas which are important for sustainable 
living in ‘urban enclave’ as they provide social, economic and environmental 
benefits. Nowadays, the concept of open space is not limited to parks and 
playground and preserves in the ‘complex matrix of urbanity’ it includes non-park 
and non-natural areas also. The study of urban open space deals mainly with the 
surface utilisation. In general open spaces include streets, schoolyards and public 
squares (Hall, 1998). Land use patterns are usually dynamic in the city. Open 
spaces are maintained for recreational or ornamental purposes mainly (Mather, 
1986).  
The paper considers the hypothesis that greater the distance from the CBD, 
economic value of open space decreases whereas, environmental value increases. 
In Barddhaman town these areas are open to the society and proper designing can 
make them attractive too. The paper focuses on the characteristics of open spaces 
in Barddhaman town and builds design of open spaces of the town to guide local 
authority in long term planning process.  
 
II. STUDY AREA 
As per provisional census of India (2011), West Bengal is the 4th most 
populous state of India and consists of 19 districts. In terms of percent of urban 
population Barddhaman district ranked 4
th 
(39.87%) in the state. The name 
‘Barddhaman’ implies the increasing or prosperous growth centre. In the progress 
of Aryanisation from the upper Ganges valley, the frontier colony was called 
Barddhaman as a landmark of growth and prosperity (Paterson, 1910). 
Barddhaman or Burdwan town (23 14′N and 87 51′E) is the administrative head 
quarter of Burdwan district, West Bengal, India. Barddhaman is categorised as a 
Class I town (Census of India, 2001). The river Damodar constitutes the southern 
DESIGNING URBAN SPACES OF… 
239 
 
boundary of the town. Being site and situational advantages, this prosperous town 
has been recognised as the seat of settled civilization since its inception. Distinct 
growth nuclei have evolved in different time periods. The town has come across 
long experiences from Muslim, Mughal, Barddhaman rajas and British rulers to 
Post Independence phase. Therefore, one could easily find the fabric of time in its 
structure. The town has flourished mainly as an administrative centre and as a 
centre of trade (Ghosh and Chakma, 2010). (Fig.1). 
 
 
Fig. 1 Location of Barddhaman town/Municipality 
 
III. MATERIALS AND METHODS 
The paper is based on quantitative methods. Materials have been collected 
from secondary sources as well as field survey. Land use map of the town has 
collected from Barddhaman municipality office. This map was fitted in MAP INFO 
professional software (version 7.0) by the process of georeferencing with respect to 
latitude and longitude of at least four points. Then all the open spaces were 
digitized one by one and clicking on the area of them got the area of individual 
open space in sq. mile which was converted into hectare. The town has 122 open 
space sites comprising an area of 193 ha
 
(8.59%). For the present study 20 of such 
open space sites (areal extent: 1.89-18.13 ha) have been selected and comparatively 
NAMITA CHAKMA AND BISWAJIT GHOSH 
240 
 
analysed on the basis of ‘Standard scores’ or ‘Z score’ (Burt and Barber, 1996). In 
statistics, a standard score indicates by how many standard deviations an 
observation is above or below the mean. The Standard score (z) of a raw score x is: 
, 
where, μ is the mean; σ is the standard deviation. 
Finally, a proposal has made to design the existing open spaces of the town. 
 
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 
 
IV.1 Population characteristics 
Population of the town has increased at an exponential rate. In 1901, 
population was 35022. In 1921, population was decreased to 34616. Afterwards 
population continued to increase as a result of natural growth and immigration 
from peripheral rural areas. In 1961, the town got the status of the Class I town 
having population of 1,07,881. In 1991, population figure reached 2,45,079. As per 
Census 2001, population became 2, 85,602 (Fig. 2). According to the ‘Literacy 
Survey Report, Barddhaman: 2008’, the population figure is 3,21,937. The 
projected population for the year 2025 is 4, 35, 000.  
 
 
Fig.2. Population growth of Barddhaman town(1901-2001)  
 
DESIGNING URBAN SPACES OF… 
241 
 
The internal structure of the town resembles similarity with any other old 
and unplanned towns of West Bengal. Population density is high (>20,000 persons 
/km
2
) in the central locations with high accessibility. The wards with peripheral 
locations have low population density (<10000 persons / km
2
). The average density 
of population of the town is 12,396 persons/ km
2
. On an average there is a decrease 
of 5840 population density/km
2
 with 1 km increase in distance from CBD. 
Distance decay effect is prominent in case of land rent/ land value distribution.  
 
IV.2 Open space characteristics  
Land use is the most dynamic and therefore the most important component 
in the analysis of the town. The dominant land use category is residential (1331.68 
ha). The amount of open spaces is calculated as 193 ha (Table 1). 
 
Table 1: Open spaces of Barddhaman town, 2011 
Ward 
no. 
Percent of 
Open Space 
Area of Open 
Space (ha) 
Ward 
no. 
Percent of 
Open Space 
Area of Open 
Space (ha) 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
4.7 
6.3 
0 
6.8 
10 
18 
15.3 
4.25 
3.85 
0 
9.68 
15.5 
15 
1.92 
1.6 
17.62 
9.21 
4.55 
3 
3 
0 
3 
5 
20 
1 
2 
2 
0 
6 
19 
15 
1 
1 
18 
6 
2 
 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
 
10.7 
0 
2.44 
12.1 
8.05 
3.5 
20.3 
8.5 
5.9 
1.64 
0 
2.9 
0 
0 
0 
0 
5.71 
 
3 
0 
10 
15 
8 
7 
22 
11 
5 
2 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
2 
NAMITA CHAKMA AND BISWAJIT GHOSH 
242 
 
 
Fig. 3. Distribution of open space in Barddhaman town (Data source: Barddhaman 
Municipality office, 2011) 
 
Table 2: Classification of open spaces  
Area of open 
space 
(hectare) 
Serial no. of open spaces Category of 
open spaces 
<1 3,4,5,7,9,11,12,13,14,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,27,28,2
9,32,33,34,35,36,37,39,40,43,48,50,51,52,54,57,58,
59,60,61,62,64,66,67,68,69,73,74,78,79,81,83,84,8
6,87,88,91,93,94,95,96,97,101,102,103,104,105,10
7,108,109,110,114,115,116,117,118,121,122 
Small 
1 to 1.89 8,15,16,17,25,31,38,41,45,49,53,55,56,63,70,77,80,
82,89,90,92,98,99,100,112,120 
Medium 
>1.89 1,2,6,10,26,30,42,44,46,47,64,71,72,75,86,85,106,1
11,113,119 
Large 
Note: Category of open spaces has shown in fig.3; computed by the author 
 
In Burdwan town 122 open spaces have been identified among which 20 
are of large and rests are small and medium size categories (Table 2). To make the 
analysis viable we have selected the large sized categories here (Fig.4). 
DESIGNING URBAN SPACES OF… 
243 
 
 
Fig.4 Selected open spaces for the study 
 
IV.3 Distribution pattern of open spaces 
The distribution pattern of the town exhibits general pattern as the central 
part of it (wards: 1,3,8,9,10,14,15,18,20,21,28,29,30,31,32,33,34) has very low 
(<5%) amount of open spaces in respect to the total percent of the area; ward no(s). 
2,4,5,11,17, 19, 22, 23,26,27 and 35 have moderate (5%-15% ) amount of it and 
ward no(s). 6,12,16 and 25 have high percentage of open spaces (>15%) due to 
their peripheral location in the town (Fig.5). 
 
 
Fig. 5 Pattern of open space of Barddhaman town (2011) 
NAMITA CHAKMA AND BISWAJIT GHOSH 
244 
 
 
IV.4 Economic and environmental significance of open spaces: A 
comparative analysis 
The selected open spaces (number 20) have been comparatively analysed 
on the basis of standard scores of the two variables (distance from CBD and area) 
and their surroundings to explore their economic and environmental significance 
(Table 3). 
 
Table 3: Standard scores of distance from CBD and area of the open space 
Sl. no. of  
Open Space 
Distance from  
CBD in km. (1) 
Standard 
Score (1) 
Area in  
hectare (2) 
Standard 
Score (2) 
1 3.57 0.75 5.18 0.22 
2 3.43 0.61 2.59 -0.43 
6 3.06 0.24 1.92 -0.60 
10 2.41 -0.41 1.9 -0.60 
26 0.8 -2.02 2.59 -0.43 
30 0.93 -1.89 2.58 -0.43 
42 2.45 -0.37 2.5 -0.45 
44 1.88 -0.94 2.55 -0.44 
46 2.04 -0.78 1.97 -0.58 
47 2.33 -0.49 2.6 -0.43 
64 3.17 0.35 5.18 0.22 
71 3.2 0.38 2.97 -0.33 
72 2.91 0.09 5.18 0.22 
75 2.51 -0.31 2.47 -0.46 
76 3.57 0.75 12.2 1.97 
85 2.96 0.14 3.74 -0.14 
106 5.15 2.33 2.59 -0.43 
111 4.09 1.27 18.13 3.45 
113 3.41 0.59 2.07 -0.56 
119 2.45 -0.37 5.18 0.22 
 
Considering the hypothesis that greater the distance from CBD economic 
value of open space decreases whereas, environmental value increases, we have 
justified the same. The open spaces with negative standard score (1) is 
economically more and environmentally less valuable than the open spaces with 
positive standard score (1). Therefore, open spaces with serial no(s). 10, 26, 30, 42, 
44, 46, 47 and 75 may be used for economic purposes and open spaces with serial 
no(s). 1, 2, 6, 64, 71, 72, 76, 85, 106, 113, 111 and 119 may be used for better 
environmental condition and removal of economic activities from the area. On the 
other hand, open spaces with positive standard score (2) is economically and 
environmentally more valuable than the open spaces with negative standard score 
DESIGNING URBAN SPACES OF… 
245 
 
(2). Therefore, open spaces with serial no(s). 1, 64, 72, 76, 111 and 119 are more 
valuable than others.  
With the application of this technique local authorities may easily design 
the open spaces according to their economic and environmental significance. 
 
IV.5 Relation between land value and open space of the town 
The relation between land value and open space has found negative in case 
of Barddhaman town (Fig. 6). This implies that the town dwellers are less 
environmentally aware. But this simplification will deliberately not portray the real 
situation as there are other variables which may affect the land value. In the 
following table 4 an attempt has been made to explore this by calculating the 
correlation of land value with these variables.  
 
 
Fig. 6. Correlation between open space and land value in Barddhaman town 
 
Table 5 Influence of variables on land value of the town  
Variables Land value (%) 
Influence of commercial, public office and 
educational Land uses 
70 
Influence of residential Land use 58 
Influence of housing density 48 
(data source: filed sourvey, 2011) 
 
The result has shown that land values are positively influenced by the 
commercial, public office and educational land uses (70%), residential land uses 
(58%) and housing density (48%) variables. Other variables like proximity to rail 
station, proximity to bus stand and quality of land etc. are also influencing the land 
value to a large extent.  
NAMITA CHAKMA AND BISWAJIT GHOSH 
246 
 
IV.6 Suggestive measures for the use of open spaces 
On the basis of the results obtained in comparative analysis of the open spaces and 
examining the surrounding land use pattern, the following recommendations are 
proposed for designing the open spaces of the Barddhaman town. For this purpose 
development of urban parks, green spaces have been given prior emphasis because 
they provide urban people a place to relax, some intangible and immaterial needs 
that pose emotional and psychological benefit to them. (Table 6). 
 
 
Table 6: Suggestive measures for the use of open spaces, Barddhaman town 
Sl. no of 
Open 
Spaces 
Area 
(ha) 
Present 
use 
Recommendation 
1 5.18 Unused This open space can be developed as a neighbourhood park 
to give people a destination for leisure and recreation. It can 
be maintained by additional activities of plantation in its 
remaining parts to increase its aesthetic beauty. 
2 2.59 Unused 
6 1.92 Unused 
10 1.9 Unused The areas can be utilised as fair ground to gain economic 
benefit. 
 
26 2.59 Unused 
30 2.58 Unused 
42 2.5 Unused These may be building up as retail market centres. 
44 2.55 Unused 
46 1.97 Unused 
47 2.6 Unused The space can be used for economic purposes.  
64 5.18 Unused All these open spaces excluding serial no. 75 can be used for 
development of green space to control soil erosion and 
modification of micro climate of the area. Local market can 
be set up at number 75.  
71 2.97 Unused 
72 5.18 Unused 
75 2.47 Unused 
76 12.2 Unused 
 
85 
 
3.74 
 
Unused 
This area is characterised by low population density, polluted 
micro climate, large number of rice mill etc. So if this space 
can be developed as green space by plantation of vegetation 
the micro climate can be improved to some extent. 
106 2.59 Unused This area has little green space in its surrounding. So it can 
be developed as a mini park. 
111 18.13 Unused This is the largest open space located on the northern bank of 
Banka river. It can be developed as a large common park to 
control the polluted environment. 
113 2.07 Unused It can be developed as a neighbourhood park to provide 
people of this crowded area a place to relax. 
119 5.18 Playground Can be maintained by additional activities of plantation in its 
remaining part to increase its aesthetic beauty. 
 
 
DESIGNING URBAN SPACES OF… 
247 
 
 
V. CONCLUDING REMARKS 
In concluding remarks it can be said that ‘Barddhaman’ as its name implies is the 
growing urban centre of the district and expanded haphazardly in an unplanned 
way. Therefore, with the application of the aforesaid technique and suggested 
recommendation future development of the town can be made properly for its 
economic as well as environmental sustenance in a beautiful way keeping in mind 
the complex urban matrix also. 
 
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New York 
Francis M. 1986. Urban open spaces, Advances in Environment, Behaviour, and Design 
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Ghosh B, Chakma N. 2010. Barddhaman Town As Evolved Over Time and Space, Indian 
Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, vol.34, December, 2010 
Hall. P. 1998. Sociable Cities: The Legacy of Ebenezer Howard, Wiley, Chichester 
Kim.W.K and Wentz.E.A.2010.Complicated simplicity: A Case Study on Urban Open 
Spaces in Phoenix Metropolitan Area, Geographic Information Science & 
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Mather.A.S.1986. Land use, Longman, London, U.K. 
Northam.R..M. 1975. Urban Geography, John wiley & sons, New York 
Pacione, M.2001. Urban Geography, London 
Paterson J.C.K.1910. Bengal District Gazetteer: Burdwan, Bengal Secretariat Book Depot, 
Calcutta  
Thompson. C.W.2002.Urban open space in the 21
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Planning, 60(2) 
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http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/42/areas42-187.htm (last accessed 6 February 
2010) 
 
 
Received:  13.10.2012 
Revised:  15.11.2012 
Accepted:  28.11.2012 
Published:  20.12.2012 
 


DESIGNING URBAN OPEN SPACES OF BARDDHAMAN TOWN, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

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DESIGNING URBAN OPEN SPACES OF BARDDHAMAN TOWN, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

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Scientific Annals of "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iasi