A geospatial framework for Urban Blue Infrastructure suitability in semi-arid cities

Urban blue infrastructure (UBI) offers a sustainable solution to mitigate urban heat island (UHI) effects and water
scarcity in semi-arid cities, yet its implementation remains underexplored in water-stressed environments. This
study introduces the Urban Blue Infrastructure Suitability Index (UBISI), a novel GIS-based framework to assess
the spatial potential for UBI development in Jaipur, India. Integrating five environmental parameters—
precipitation, land surface temperature, slope, proximity to water bodies, and land use/land cover—through
weighted overlay analysis and analytical hierarchy process, the UBISI identifies high-priority zones for urban
wetlands, retention ponds, and stormwater systems. With global scores ranging from 0 to 0.63, the model
highlights Sanganer (mean: 0.33), Jaipur City (mean: 0.32), and Phagi (mean: 0.26) as highly suitable subdistricts,
driven by moderate temperatures, clay-rich soils, and proximity to water bodies like Man Sagar and
Ramgarh Lakes, while Chomu and Viratnagar (mean: 0.16) show low suitability. Tailored for semi-arid climates,
the UBISI incorporates monsoon variability and topographic position index, validated through correlation
analysis and Chi-Square tests. Comparative insights from semi-arid highlight its global applicability, while smallscale
interventions like bioswales address feasibility in urban centers. The UBISI provides urban planners with a
scalable, data-driven tool to enhance climate resilience and water security, offering a replicable model for sustainable
urban planning in arid regions worldwide.