Urban Expansion and LULC Change in Shahbad City (2000–2020)
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Abstract
Urban expansion is one of the most significant spatial processes impacting land-use structure, environment and the socio-economic nature of developing towns. The present study aims at analyzing the dynamics, spatial distribution, influencing factors and impacts of urban growth in Shahbad City in 2000-2020. The changes occurring in major Land Use/Land Cover categories (built up area, agricultural land, open and fallow land, vegetated cover and green cover, and water bodies) were analyzed by remote sensing data and satellite imagery, and Geographic Information System techniques. The analysis indicates that the urban area has been expanding continuously from the core towards the north, south, east and west. Urban growth occurred along the major transport arteries, in small or leapfrog fashion on the urban fringe, within existing settlements and through intensification of the central area.
The built-up area increased substantially from 64 in 2000 to 132 in 2010 and 218 in 2020. Agricultural land on the other hand decreased from 272 to 204 hectares and then to 148 hectares over the same timeframe. The green cover and vegetation area also reduced from 54 in 2000 to 34 in 2020 and open land and fallow land reduced to 68 in 2020 from 54 in 2000. The key factors of this change were found to be population growth, rural to urban migration, improved transportation, economic diversification, institutional development, and rising land values and real-estate activities. The results show that the rapid and somewhat unplanned urban development has put pressure on agricultural land, the green spaces, the drainage systems and public facilities. The study highlights the importance of GIS based monitoring, small urban development, efficient zoning, preservation of green spaces and water bodies and the integration of urban planning in order to find sustainable growth in the future of Shahbad City.
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