Urban land use planning using digital cartographic modelling

The growing urbanization in developing economies, especially in India, have the potential to change existing land use patterns with the urban fabric as well consume vast open lands surrounding the existing urban islands. Planning practice in India is directed by regulations and norms established at the national and state level. Within this directive is the creation of master plans for town development, the creation of which is closely directed by the collaboration of the governmental planner and the consultant planner. This paper examines how using cartographic modelling, the ability to make representative geospatial representations or maps that help with modelling and studying complex geo-spatial inter-relationships we can create a more responsive urban growth strategy. Learning from existing development characteristics, the behavioral landscape can be modelled to reflect the impact of introducing major urban infrastructure such as transport connectivity. Further, the cartographic models can well integrate the most environmentally suitable patterns for development balancing between agricultural productivity and urban economic growth. Such analytical practices offer the potential for a more environment friendly and responsive paradigm for Urban Planning, not only in India, but in other regional developing economies.