Mapping Clean Cities in India is a GIS Perspective which explores how geospatial tools turn sanitation rankings into spatial insight. As India’s cities evolve, sustainability—and cleanliness in particular—has become central to public health and urban development. When evaluating the cleanest city in India, Swachh Survekshan survey offers annual rankings, the “where” behind success often goes unseen. Using MAPOG, this article transforms static data into interactive narratives. Building on similar mapping approaches used in projects like sewage and drainage system analysis through intersection-based tools and GIS-led air quality monitoring, this story map highlights regional sanitation patterns and city-level leadership—enabling smarter planning, targeted policy, and civic engagement.
Understanding the Concept: Mapping Cleanliness Rankings Across Indian Cities
A Clean Cities Map is more than a ranked list—it’s a spatial tool that visualizes the results of the annual Swachh Survekshan survey by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. By displaying sanitation scores geographically, these maps uncover regional trends, highlight local best practices, and reveal gaps in performance.
Why It Matters
- Urban Policy Insight: Helps planners and officials identify high-performing cities and model sanitation strategies accordingly.
- Public Health Relevance: Shows where infrastructure, behavior, and hygiene intersect effectively.
- Civic Engagement: Inspires public participation by spotlighting standout cities with successful waste management practices.
These cleanliness maps offer a narrative of urban health and hygiene. Mapping Clean Cities in India uses MAPOG to turn annual rankings into an interactive spatial story—bringing clarity to where sanitation success is happening and how different cities are leading the way.
Step-by-Step: Creating Clean Cities in India through MAPOG
Step 1: Access the MAPOG Platform
Begin by visiting MAPOG.
On the homepage:
- Click on “Create New Map”
- Add a title such as India’s Cleanest Cities – Swachh Survekshan 2024
- Write a brief description of the project’s purpose
- Choose a light base map (e.g., Street View)
- Click “Create” to launch your map canvas
Step 2: Add Country & State Boundaries, Then Upload Clean Cities Data
Import India’s national and state boundaries from the “GIS Data“ panel to provide spatial context.
These base layers help frame your clean city data geographically, making it easier for viewers to interpret performance across different regions and states.
Next, upload the clean cities data:
- Prepare a CSV file containing:
- City Name
- State
- Latitude & Longitude
- Rank (1 to 20)
- Cleanliness Highlights
On the MAPOG interface:
- In the left panel, click on “Add/Upload Data”
- From the four available options, choose “Upload CSV/Excel File”
- Select your prepared file and upload it
(Important: Ensure that Latitude and Longitude are placed in dedicated columns and clearly labeled. This allows you to accurately geolocate each city when you publish the layer.)
- During upload, select the appropriate columns for Latitude and Longitude when prompted. This ensures that MAPOG correctly places your city points.
After selecting the coordinates, click “Add on Map” to display the clean cities as point features over the base map.
Step 3: Style the City Layer Using Quantity-Based Symbols
Open the Style Layer panel:
- Choose “Quantity” styling method using “Rank” field
- Assign colors and sizes:
- 🟩 Green for Ranks 1–5
- 🟨 Yellow for Ranks 6–10
- 🟧 Orange for Ranks 11–15
- 🔴 Red for Ranks 16–20
- Adjust sizes to emphasize higher-ranked cities
Step 4: Add Interactive Story Points
Navigate to the “Add Point” tab.
Click on individual cities (e.g., Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai) and add:
- A Title
- A Description highlighting achievements
- Optional images or icons
This transforms your map into an interactive urban narrative.
Step 5: Save and Share Your Work
Once styled, go to the “Share & Publish” tab.
You can:
- Copy the public link to share with colleagues or stakeholders
- Embed the map directly into any website or blog post
This way, anyone—from city planners to curious citizens—can explore and interact with your clean cities map online.
Industry Use & Benefits of Clean City Mapping
Why is mapping India’s cleanest cities more than just a visual tool? Because it transforms Swachh Survekshan rankings into spatial insight—fueling better planning, informed policymaking, and civic engagement. A ranked list shows who leads, but a map reveals where change is happening.
By building a GIS-powered story map, planners can uncover regional patterns and identify cities that lead by example—turning data into direction.
Key use cases include:
- Urban Development Agencies: Pinpointing sanitation models that can guide smart city projects
- State Governments: Supporting mid-ranked cities to bridge performance gaps
- Environmental NGOs: Spotlighting cities with strong waste management and public participation
- Academia & Researchers: Analyzing spatial trends in cleanliness across urban forms and climate zones
Thanks to MAPOG’s visual editor and story tools, creating meaningful spatial analysis no longer demands expert GIS skills. With just a CSV and a few clicks, rankings become interactive urban narratives.
Conclusion: Map, Style, and Share Urban Cleanliness Insights
Mapping the cleanest city in India isn’t just about visuals—it’s about generating insight and driving real impact. With MAPOG, users can identify sanitation leaders, uncover regional patterns, and convert complex survey data into engaging spatial stories. Whether highlighting consistent top performers like Indore or tracking the rise of emerging contenders, this approach supports smarter, cleaner urban development. As India moves toward sustainable urban living, these mapped insights create a clear roadmap for every city aspiring to become the cleanest city in India.