Identification of Factors Responsible for Urban Expansion of Surat

In India, with an unprecedented population growth and migration, an increased urban population and urbanisation is unplanned. More and more towns and cities are booming with a change in the land use of outer fringe and to the immediate vicinity of the city. This dispersed development is an urban sprawl. It brings opportunities yet it is an undesirable type of city growth. It happens without following any planning in general. Surat city is experiencing tremendous growth since past few decades. Present study if focussed on Surat city sprawl. In 2006 when one of a major city limits expansions granted, area of SMC boundary jumped from 112 Sq.Km. to 326 Sq.Km accommodating a population 44, 62,002. Objectives of study are to identify factors affecting city limit expansion, to study demographic dynamics of Surat city and propose appropriate direction for future extension of Surat city. With the help of the past expansion data of city limit and factors (derived from expert opinion) affecting the expansion are identified.