Urban Spatial Characteristics Analysis of Siliguri (A Class One City of West Bengal, India) Using GIS Technique

Abstract

To track and evaluate the urbanization process and provide a theoretical foundation for rural restructuring and landscape dynamics, it is imperative to quantify spatiotemporal patterns of urban expansion. In order to examine the relationship between the central city and its suburbs and to assess the overall spatiotemporal features of urban expansion in Siliguri and the surrounding area, this study combines remotely sensed data, and GIS-based buffer gradient analysis. Based on the landscape expansion index, intensity index and differentiation index of urban growth, this paper presented the multifaceted features of urban expansion patterns. The findings demonstrate that while there are noticeable geographical variances, the distance from the urban center has a significant impact on the overall spatiotemporal changes of the area. According to the study, the western and southwestern regions, particularly those near highways, have had fast expansion whereas the eastern part is being held back from further expansion by natural obstacles such as forests. Edge expansion (76.73%) is the most prominent growth type, with outlying (26.13%) being the second most important growth type. Within the Municipal Corporation, there is compact expansion, but dispersed growth is more common outside the city center. This present study assists urban policy makers in understanding the composition and layout of the urban landscape. It might have a further impact on the city's sustainable development circumstances.