Spatio-temporal analysis of urban growth in the Mumbai metropolitan area using landsat imagery

The swift urbanization in Mumbai’s suburbs has led to significant land cover changes, directly linked to the region’s recent economic growth. This study investigates urban expansion and land use changes in the Mumbai Metropolitan Area (MMA) from 2000 to 2020, highlighting the rapid increase in built-up land, which expanded from 1195.25 to 1456.24 sq.km. The analysis reveals a marked decline in agricultural, vegetative, fallow, and aquatic ecosystems due to urbanization, leading to environmental concerns. Urban growth patterns were assessed using landscape metrics, indicating significant sprawl, particularly in the southwestern zone, which exhibited the highest growth rates. While compactness increased near the urban core, fragmentation was observed in peripheral areas. Temporal analyses using Cellular Automata (CA) and Shannon’s entropy confirmed ongoing urbanization trends and varying densities across zones. A strong correlation between urban land expansion and population growth was noted, particularly near Karjat CT. Despite limited urban land increases within the municipal area due to density constraints, significant socio-economic factors underpinning these trends were identified as research limitations. This study underscores the need for comprehensive urban planning in rapidly developing regions like India to mitigate the adverse effects of unchecked urban sprawl and ensure sustainable growth.