Abstract

The design, diversity, and density in planning cities configure travel demand. The theory of natural urban transformation processes implies that street network topology influences built density and mixed land-use patterns. This study aims to understand Chennai city’s recent development patterns by understanding the interdependencies of elements of urban morphological parameters, such as street network efficiency, mixed-use-index values, and density of the built environment by quantifying and co-relating. The current trend of urban development patterns in Chennai city may override the natural theory, as the development pressure is at the forefront of dealing with rapid population immigration. The low-integrated streets have to cater to densely built areas, which causes congestion, according to the findings. The results suggest a favorable association between street network efficiency and mixed-use but no correlation between the other criteria. Housing developments, which are both an origin and a destination of travel, are concentrated in segregated spaces. The urban structure of Chennai consists of more extensive monofunctional typologies, and pedestrian accessibility is threatened. People have to travel long distances or make a more significant number of shorter trips by private vehicles. Local area-level planning interventions to densify the mix of functions and street alignment/improvement can improve the existing condition to achieve better development.