IIT Roorkee Develops Advanced Predictive Model for Urban Land Assessment

Synopsis

Researchers at IIT Roorkee have introduced a cutting-edge predictive model for assessing land cover changes, utilizing Cellular Automata and GIS techniques to analyze urban growth in multiple cities over two decades, emphasizing sustainable urban planning.

Key Takeaways

Innovative predictive model for land assessment.
Utilizes Cellular Automata (CA) and GIS.
Analyzes urban growth in four major cities.
Focus on sustainable urban planning.
Aims to mitigate urban flooding risks.

Roorkee, Feb 11 (NationPress) Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have created an innovative predictive model aimed at evaluating changes in land cover.

This model, developed using Cellular Automata (CA) and Geographic Information System (GIS) methodologies, was employed to investigate urban growth in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Jaipur, and Surat over the last twenty years.

The research, published in the journal Discover Cities, sheds light on the swift rate of urbanization and emphasizes the urgent requirement for data-driven planning to facilitate sustainable development. The model integrates crucial urban growth determinants such as population density, proximity to central business districts, major roadways, and drainage systems, thereby improving the accuracy of urban development forecasts.

"Sustainable urban planning is essential for India's rapidly growing cities. This research offers a scientific framework for predicting urban growth trends, enabling decision-makers to make informed choices that foster both infrastructure expansion and environmental sustainability," stated Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee.

A key component of this study involves mapping impervious surfaces—regions occupied by buildings and roads that hinder natural water absorption. This examination reveals possible urban flooding hazards and proposes solutions to address environmental challenges.

"By fusing GIS and machine learning, our model not only delivers highly accurate predictions but also offers critical insights into sustainable urban development strategies. This research will aid smart city planners in countering the adverse impacts of unregulated urban sprawl," remarked Prof. Rahul Dev Garg, Dean of Resources & Alumni Affairs and Faculty in the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Roorkee.

This study is set to become a vital resource for urban planners, policymakers, and environmental advocates, steering the sustainable advancement of India’s smart cities.

The model signifies a major leap in utilizing technology for sustainable urbanization and presents a scalable approach for cities throughout India to adopt.