Management of the Urban Environment Using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems

Abstract The planning and management of urban environment require huge amount of information regarding almost all aspects of natural and man-made features of that area. Until lately, such a study could be achieved through days of exhaustive surveys, map generation and tedious calculations. Remote sensing provides huge temporal database for an area and GIS serve as a powerful tool for spatial and non-spatial analysis of remotely sensed data. The present paper seeks to analyze the role of RS and GIS in the management of urban environment. Urban environment basically consists of built up area, i.e. buildings, roads, industries, business areas, parks etc. and natural features such as vegetation cover, soil and water inside urban activity zone. The paper highlights how the modern technology can be used in the study of urban sprawl and its growth trend, updating and monitoring using repetitive coverage, urban environment especially land use and land cover citing the study on Dehradun Municipality.