Sustainable urban policy development in hill cities: A case study of Shimla's LULC changes and urban regeneration efforts

• Analyzed LULC changes in Shimla from 1991 to 2021 using GIS and remote sensing. • Urbanization caused deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity. • Socio-economic disparities and gentrification risk undermine inclusive growth. • Calls for ecological restoration, urban green spaces (UGS), and adaptive reuse of heritage. • Model for sustainable mountain urban regeneration globally. Urban regeneration in Shimla, a rapidly urbanizing hill city in the Indian Himalayas, is closely linked to significant Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes between 1991 and 2021. This study employs GIS and remote sensing techniques to quantify these transformations and evaluates their ecological and socio-economic impacts, revealing extensive urban expansion at the cost of forests, open spaces, and agricultural lands, contributing to biodiversity loss, water scarcity, environmental degradation, and rising socio-economic disparities. Spatial analysis, including Moran's I and hotspot analysis, highlights a scattered pattern of regeneration without strong spatial clustering, emphasizing the need for strategic targeted interventions. Socio-economic assessments indicate emerging risks of gentrification and inequality, underscoring the necessity for inclusive, data-driven urban planning frameworks. The study recommends integrating sustainable land management practices, nature-based solutions, slope-sensitive zoning, and smart urban infrastructure, such as energy-efficient lighting, to enhance resilience. It also addresses technical limitations such as the need for higher-resolution data and improved classification methods. Shimla’s regeneration should balance modernization with ecological and cultural preservation, offering a replicable model for sustainable development in mountain cities globally. A holistic, inclusive, and adaptive framework that aligns urban development with environmental conservation and community wellbeing is essential.