IIT Roorkee Develops AI-Driven Model to Predict Smart City Land Cover Changes

Researchers at IIT Roorkee have developed a predictive model using GIS and Cellular Automata to forecast land cover changes in smart cities, enhancing urban planning and sustainability.

A research team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has developed an advanced predictive model using Cellular Automata (CA) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to assess land cover changes in India’s Round-1 Smart Cities. The study analyses urban expansion in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Jaipur, and Surat over the past two decades and provides forecasts of growth patterns through 2031.

Published in Discover Cities, the study highlights the rapid pace of urbanization and emphasizes the need for data-driven planning to ensure sustainable growth. By incorporating key urban growth factors such as population density, proximity to central business districts, major roads, and drainage systems, the model enhances the accuracy of urban development predictions.

This study is set to become a crucial resource for urban planners, policymakers, and environmentalists, steering the sustainable development of India’s smart cities. The model represents a significant advancement in using technology for sustainable urbanization and offers a scalable approach for cities across the country to adopt.

Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, emphasised the significance of the research, stating, "Sustainable urban planning is vital for India's rapidly expanding cities. This study provides a scientific framework for predicting urban growth patterns, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions that promote both infrastructure development and environmental sustainability."

Prof. Rahul Dev Garg, Dean of Resources & Alumni Affairs and Faculty in the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Roorkee, who led key aspects of this research, commented, "By integrating GIS and machine learning, our model not only offers high-accuracy predictions but also provides valuable insights into sustainable urbanization strategies. This research will help smart city planners mitigate the negative effects of unplanned urban sprawl."

The research was conducted by Shubham Bhattacharjee, Dr. Neerav Sharma, Munizzah Salim, and Prof. Rahul Dev Garg from IIT Roorkee in collaboration with Prof. Kavita Sharma from Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur. Their findings highlight IIT Roorkee's dedication to utilizing cutting-edge technology for promoting sustainable urban development.

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