Assessment of Urban Sprawl in Sargodha City using Remotely Sense Data

Abstract

The current study focuses on tracking urban sprawl in one of the rapidly growing cities of Pakistan i.e., Sargodha. The secondary cities have the capacity to persuade people from rural areas to relocate. In this regard, the current study is unique in that it will give a comprehensive analysis of urban sprawl of Sargodha City. The remotely sensed data is used for this purpose. The study is primarily based on the collecting of both primary and secondary data. For the last 30 years, from 1987 to 2017, primary data was gathered from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF). ERDAS Imagine 2013 is used to classify land use using remotely sensed data. The Kappa Coefficient was used to compute the accuracy assessment of classified maps. Maps are used to depict a comparative analysis of urban sprawl in the city. In addition, regression analysis and simple statistical computations are also utilised to assess dynamic changes in urban sprawl. From 1987 to 2017, a 10-year interval was used to measure change in built-up land using an equation. According to the findings of the study, Sargodha City has experienced considerable changes in land use patterns. This current study is beneficial for policymakers to design the city in a well-planned manner. The appropriate design of cities can pave the way for higher living standards in rapidly growing cities of Pakistan.