Assessing the Spatial Distribution and Infrastructure Gaps in Udaipur s Commercial Centers Using GIS and URDPFI Norms

The increasing population in Udaipur and tourism-based economy necessitate a well-distributed and sustainable commercial infrastructure. Under this current study, spatial patterns and infrastructural gaps in commercial centers were assessed as per the URDPFI guidelines through GIS-based fishnet analysis and spatial autocorrelation (LISA cluster mapping). Issues identified are the insufficient number of district and sub-city commercial centers that lie within the retail zones, encroachments, and the absence of any formal infrastructure for vendors. However, there remain gaps in various wards, chiefly at the local and convenience level shopping zones, since few measures have been taken. A big research gap in integrating quantitative spatial methods with socio-economic feasibility analysis comes to the fore. The previous studies majorly highlight macro-level planning; this study fills the gap in micro-level studies and thus aims to provide spatial interventions that can be implemented. Data were sourced from UCCI, UMC, primary surveys, and cluster mapping using GeoDa. The findings provided a good base for future planning of commercial zoning for the common man, street vending management, and targeted development investments. This work could assist with policy formulation for mid-sized cities that are fast becoming centers of commercial growth and would help find an equitable balance between commerce in cities and heritage conservation.