Measurement and Analysis of Urban Growth and it's Centrality in the North 24 Parganas District, West Bengal, India using Geospatial Technology

One of the most important development processes influencing the modern world, especially in developing nations, is urbanization, often known as urban growth. It is the backbone of any nation's economy and plays an essential role in its development. Likewise, transport networks serve as the arteries of any urban area and are a crucial component of the infrastructural parameter for economic growth. According to this study, the North 24 Parganas District has a history of rapid urbanization and as well as a strong road system. Since independence, the district has experienced a remarkable rate of urban growth, reflected in both the rapid increase in urban population and the expansion of urban built-up areas. This study focuses on analyzing the centrality of urban growth among the municipalities of North 24 Parganas District. The urban growth centrality has been assessed using the Centrality Index (CI) through geoinformatics from 1991 to 2021, considering population rise, urban built-up areas, and the district's transportation network. The Centrality Index (CI) values indicate the degree of centrality among the municipalities, where a lower value signifies a higher degree of centrality, and a higher value indicates a lower degree of centrality. Urban growth centrality is categorized into five groups based on the results: Very High, High, Medium, Low, and Very Low. Three municipalities - Barasat, Madhyamgram, and New Barrackpore were determined to be in the highest centrality zone of urban growth between 2001 and 2011. In 2021, these three municipalities are also expected to fall under the highest centrality zone. But in 1991, two municipalities, Barasat and New Barrackpore, were in the highest centrality zone within North 24 Parganas District.