Delhi's Leisure Spaces

Recreation is essential for social, physical, and mental health and well-being. Previous studies have reported an uneven distribution of recreational and open space in Delhi and research also highlights the need for studies on people’s recreational choices in the city’s recreational facilities, which lack accessibility.

From the analysis of the master plan and the existing literature, we can infer that the informally-developed settlements do not have open spaces designed for recreational purposes at the neighborhood level. The proposed initiatives by the state to improve living conditions in informally-developed settlements present an opportunity to seek insights into the heterogeneous resident population’s preferences for social interaction and recreation spaces within and outside the settlement.

The study findings draw attention to the challenges faced by residents in dense urban areas in pursuing recreational activities in public spaces during and before the COVID-19 pandemic.