Spatio-Temporal Analysis Of Changing Patterns In Classes Of Urban Centres In Bist Doab Region Of Punjab

Abstract

One of the biggest long-term repercussions of human activities on the global ecosystem is the conversion of the planet's land surface to urban areas. Urban ecosystems are predicted to take up increasingly bigger areas of land, transforming natural habitats into fragmented, sharply edged zones largely covered by buildings. In the Bist Doab region of Punjab, there is significant growth of urban centres of various strata, which act as hubs of economic activities. The population in urban areas has been rapidly increasing between 1971 and 2011. The growth of class III, class IV, and class V urban centres has been prominent, driven by industrial development and the establishment of small-scale industries.

Key words- Urbanization, Urban Population, Urban Centres, Economic growth, Industrial and commercial development.