A systematic review of urban sprawl and land use/land cover change studies in India

Abstract

The extensive modification in different land operations fueled by rapid urbanization is a matter of great concern. It is not just a simple process of exchange within different classes as we think; moreover, it is one of the most responsible factors for the change in biological rotations of the natural system. India, one of the fastest-urbanizing nations, is expected to be the home of the most urban residents by 2050, likely resulting in various undesirable issues in emerging and existing cities. The review highlights the apprehensive sides of sprawl and land use/land cover (LULC) changes in the Indian context. It also aims to assist the researchers in exploring the scope and relevance of sprawl measurement techniques for emerging urban settlements through the collected literature. A multi-stage sampling method is used to scrutinize the secondary source-based information regarding the research work. In total, 58 studies of recognized journals have been appraised systematically from 1981 to 2022. The findings reveal that increasing accidental growth caused by rapid urbanization is the leading cause of the change in LULC and irreparable environmental loss. 77.58 percent of studies have reported that geospatial technology, models, and numerical methods are more relevant to urban planners and officials for sprawl measurement and LULC change detection. So, the administration should address the accidental urban growth in its initial phase with a priority for sustainable urbanization.