Spatial Transformation of Fringe Area-

Abstract

A space where urban area meets rural area of its periphery face urbanization pressure and administer spatial, social and economic transformation is termed as rural-urban fringe area. This area might be messy because of increasing urban population and demand of land resources but fill with opportunities if used systematically. This thesis tried to assess the urban sprawl and its spatiotemporal growth pattern in Patna urban fringe area for two decades. Maximum-likelihood supervised classification technique is used to map the land use land cover of Patna by using Landsat database. Shannon’s Entropy Index, Landscape matrix and Gradient Direction & Distances analysis are used to detect changes in land use land cover and direction and extent of urban sprawl. Land use of two years 2013 and current is compared and analyzed to detect transformation at micro level in study area. Socio-economic impact of spatial transformation is analyzed through primary survey of study area. The findings of this study indicates that the built-up area is increasing with growth rate of 18 percent per year and agricultural land is decreasing at the rate of 60 percent. Maximum growth has been seen along river Ganga, major highways and south-east side of Patna city, but due to lack of regulation and spatial plans for around 35 years this area has transformed into a low density, un-serviced and messy area. the findings from socio-economic survey indicates that there is negative impact of urbanization on living standards. Access to infrastructure facility, amenities, hospitals, etc. shows negatively serviced in this area. It has seen that there is a lack of strict planning regulation, coordination between authorities and knowledge of planning process among local peoples. This research study will assist in the regulation of fringe area and provide a reference for the new urban–rural planning system which not only cater the physical development but also cater the social and economic benefits for local residents.