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One Size Fits None: A Personalized Framework for Urban Accessibility Using Exponential Decay

Prabhanjana Ghuriki, S. Chanti

TL;DR

This paper tackles the problem that traditional accessibility metrics fail to reflect individual needs and the diminishing value of repeated amenities in dense cities. It introduces a personalized framework that couples exponential decay with user-defined category weights and groupings, implemented over a grid-based discretization and a two-stage computation pipeline to enable real-time interaction. The methodology is demonstrated on Bangalore using OpenStreetMap data, revealing how different demographic profiles experience the same urban space in distinct ways and how the approach can outperform uniform measures like Walk Score. The work offers a practical, open framework for residents, planners, and researchers to assess and address accessibility gaps toward more inclusive, 15-minute city outcomes.

Abstract

This study develops a personalized accessibility framework that integrates exponential decay functions with user-customizable weighting systems. The framework enables real-time, personalized urban evaluation based on individual priorities and lifestyle requirements. The methodology employs grid-based discretization and a two-stage computational architecture that separates intensive preprocessing from lightweight real-time calculations. The computational architecture demonstrates that accessibility modelling can be made accessible to non-technical users through interactive interfaces, enabling fine-grained spatial analysis and identification of accessibility variations within neighbourhoods. The research contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 11's vision of inclusive, sustainable cities by providing tools for understanding how different populations experience identical urban spaces, supporting evidence-based policy development that addresses accessibility gaps.

One Size Fits None: A Personalized Framework for Urban Accessibility Using Exponential Decay

TL;DR

This paper tackles the problem that traditional accessibility metrics fail to reflect individual needs and the diminishing value of repeated amenities in dense cities. It introduces a personalized framework that couples exponential decay with user-defined category weights and groupings, implemented over a grid-based discretization and a two-stage computation pipeline to enable real-time interaction. The methodology is demonstrated on Bangalore using OpenStreetMap data, revealing how different demographic profiles experience the same urban space in distinct ways and how the approach can outperform uniform measures like Walk Score. The work offers a practical, open framework for residents, planners, and researchers to assess and address accessibility gaps toward more inclusive, 15-minute city outcomes.

Abstract

This study develops a personalized accessibility framework that integrates exponential decay functions with user-customizable weighting systems. The framework enables real-time, personalized urban evaluation based on individual priorities and lifestyle requirements. The methodology employs grid-based discretization and a two-stage computational architecture that separates intensive preprocessing from lightweight real-time calculations. The computational architecture demonstrates that accessibility modelling can be made accessible to non-technical users through interactive interfaces, enabling fine-grained spatial analysis and identification of accessibility variations within neighbourhoods. The research contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 11's vision of inclusive, sustainable cities by providing tools for understanding how different populations experience identical urban spaces, supporting evidence-based policy development that addresses accessibility gaps.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 63 sections, 2 theorems, 21 equations, 11 figures, 5 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. The Urban Accessibility Challenge in Indian Cities
  3. The 15-Minute City Framework as a Conceptual Foundation
  4. Research Contributions and Scope
  5. Literature Review
  6. Evolution of Accessibility Measurement Theory
  7. Contemporary Measurement Approaches
  8. Limitations in Current Accessibility Measurement
  9. The Service Redundancy Challenge
  10. The Personalization Challenge
  11. Research Opportunities
  12. Methodology
  13. Conceptual Framework
  14. Mathematical Formulation
  15. Point-level Score
  16. ...and 48 more sections

Key Result

Theorem A.1

As grid cell area approaches zero ($\Delta A \to 0$), the grid-based point-level score (Equation eq:grid_score) converges to the continuous point-level score (Equation eq:point_score).

Figures (11)

  • Figure 1: Accessibility patterns across BBMP wards under two scenarios.
  • Figure 2: Exponential decay effects across neighbourhoods with varying restaurant densities using Balanced decay parameter.
  • Figure 3: Decay parameter comparison for identical location (Ramaswamy Palya, 2 restaurants).
  • Figure 4: Weighting system impact on accessibility evaluation showing progressive emphasis on metro station access.
  • Figure 5: Grid-level comparison of individual versus grouped evaluation for dining-related amenities.
  • ...and 6 more figures

Theorems & Definitions (2)

  • Theorem A.1: Point-Level Convergence
  • Theorem A.2: Ward-Level Convergence