Characterizing multi-dimensionality of urban sprawl in Jamnagar, India using multi-date remote sensing data

Abstract. This study attempts to measure and characterize urban sprawl using its multiple dimensions in the Jamnagar city, India. The study utilized the multi-date satellite images acquired by CORONA, IRS 1D PAN & LISS-3, IRS P6 LISS-4 and Resourcesat-2 LISS-4 sensors. The extent of urban growth in the study area was mapped at 1 : 25,000 scale for the years 1965, 2000, 2005 and 2011. The growth of urban areas was further categorized into infill growth, expansion and leapfrog development. The city witnessed an annual growth of 1.60 % per annum during the period 2000–2011 whereas the population growth during the same period was observed at less than 1.0 % per annum. The new development in the city during 2000–2005 time period comprised of 22 % as infill development, 60 % as extension of the peripheral urbanized areas, and 18 % as leapfrogged development. However, during 2005–2011 timeframe the proportion of leapfrog development increased to 28 % whereas due to decrease in availability of developable area within the city, the infill developments declined to 9 %. The urban sprawl in Jamnagar city was further characterized on the basis of five dimensions of sprawl viz. population density, continuity, clustering, concentration and centrality by integrating the population data with sprawl for year 2001 and 2011. The study characterised the growth of Jamnagar as low density and low concentration outwardly expansion.