Urbanization Trends and Challenges: A Case Study in the Asan Watershed of Uttarakhand on Urban Growth Patterns and Sustainable Land Use Planning

Abstract

Abstract Historical evidence suggests that urbanization is an inevitable and universal process, all over the world. Notably, urbanization has outpaced the average population growth rate, indicating the rapid pace of urban expansion. The case study focuses on the Asan watershed of Uttarakhand, one of India's highly urbanized states, where urban population growth is remarkable. The paper discusses the significance of raising urban diameter within the region based on specific criteria like decadal Census statistics and Land cover dynamics. It highlights the importance of accurate urban mapping and monitoring, using advanced technologies like remote sensing and GIS, to assess urban growth patterns and inform effective urban planning. Through the use of statistical techniques, remote sensing, and GIS, the study enables cost-effective and comprehensive urban studies to enhance decision-making. It also includes a comparative analysis of population statistics for India and its selective regions. The LULC changes exert substantial impacts on natural resources, socioeconomic factors, and environmental hydrological processes. The associate study requires the creation of decadal Land Use/Land Cover maps, areal analysis, validation through accuracy assessment, and the generation of urban growth pattern maps along with the direction of growth expansion. The analysis revealed a concerning trend of rapid urban expansion in the study area, which increased nearly four times over almost four decades, while the percentage of forest, plantations, cropland, and water bodies decreased significantly. The findings also highlighted the dominant directions of urban expansion over time. The study predicts that the eastern portion of the area is likely to continue dominating urban expansion in the future. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the changing landscape and urbanization patterns within the region, emphasizing the importance of sustainable land use planning and environmental conservation efforts to address the challenges posed by rapid urban growth and its impact on natural resources.