Urban liveability is broadly understood as the capacity of cities to provide quality of life and meet the diverse needs of their residents. As global population projections approach 10 billion by mid-century, cities are under increasing pressure to balance growth with sustainability. Standardized global liveability indices offer comparative insights, yet they often overlook the unique socio-economic and spatial trajectories of the Global South. In particular, Indian cities exhibit growth patterns shaped by distinct historical, cultural, and political pathways, which are not adequately captured by existing frameworks.

This research seeks to develop a context-specific liveability framework for Indian cities. The literature review integrates three approaches: a bibliometric analysis to trace global trends and parameters of liveability, a systematic literature review to identify context-relevant components, and a path dependency analysis to understand India and urban growth patterns and select representative study areas. Building on these insights, the analysis phase will employ tools such as the Delphi method, regression modelling, and expert focus group discussions to refine and prioritize the most significant parameters. The final objective is to design a liveability index tailored to Indian cities, one that accounts for both quantitative and qualitative dimensions.

By recalibrating the assessment of liveability within the Indian context, this study aims to address the limitations of standardized global indices and contribute a framework better suited for evaluating cities of the Global South. The outcomes are expected to guide urban planners and policymakers in advancing more inclusive, resilient, and equitable cities.