POPULATION AND URBAN SPRAWL IN LUCKNOW CITY

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Upendra Bhai Patel and B.L. Teli Dept. of Geography, School of Earth Sciences HNB Garhwal University (A Central University), Pauri Campus, Pauri (Uttarakhand) India Email: ubppatel@gmail.com, blteli33@gmail.com

Abstract: An unprecedented population growth and migration, and increased urban population and urbanization are inadvertent. These urban ecosystems are a consequence of urbanization through rapid industrial centers and blooming up of residential colonies, also became hub of economic, social, cultural, and political activities. Urbanization, as such, is not seen as a threat to the environment and development, but it is the unplanned urbnization and subsequent urban growth, or the sprawl that affects the land-use of any region prone to extensive urbanization with loss of prime agricultural lands. Therefore there are certain demorgaphic, physical, economic, social and environmetnal and lastly governance factors which contribute to this phenominon of sprawl. Ideally, the growth that takes place around urban areas should be channeled in an orderly manner that will produce an economically efficient, socially and personally satisfying living environment. In practice, ideal growth can hardly be achieved due to many practical reasons. But, it can be said that growth is a phenomenon, it can be guided to prevent it from becoming sprawl. 

Key words: Urban sprawl, Urban-rural fringe, Migration trend, LU/LC change, GIS 

Introduction In industrial countries the future growth of urban populations will be comparatively modest since their population growth rates are low and over 80 percent of their population already live in urban areas. Conversely, developing countries are in the middle of the transition process, when growth rates are highest. The transition drifts from agricultural employment, high overall population growth and increasing urbanization rates. In the initial stages, development in the form of service centers such as shops, cafeteria etc. is seen on the roadside, which eventually become the hub of economic activities leading to sprawl. This type of upsurge caused by a road network between urban / semi-urban / rural centers is very much prevalent and persistent in most places in India. Biggest challenge is to ensure adequate housing, sanitation and health, and transportation services in a habitable urban environment in developing countries. Sprawl is seen as one of the potential threats for such developing and for better management of resources in developing country. Hence, it is very essential to understand the phenomenon of urban sprawl.

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