Geoplanning : Journal of Geomatics and Planning
Vol 13, No 1 (2026)

Green to Grey: Spatial Transformation and Urban Expansion of Panjim City -India (2003-2023)

Deepak Jyotiba Kumbhar (Department of Geography and Research Center, Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Margao - Goa, India)
Nandkumar Sawant (Department of Geography and Research Center, Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Margao - Goa, India)
Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi (Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani K. K. Birla Goa Campus)



Article Info

Publish Date
19 Jun 2026

Abstract

Urban expansion in cities poses critical challenges to sustainability and environmental resilience. The study evaluates the spatial pattern of urban expansion and transformation of Panjim, the capital of Goa, India, from 2003 to 2023. The core focus is to analyze the transformation of green landscapes into built-up areas. Using a combined approach of geospatial techniques, demographic indicators, and the Shannon entropy index, it quantifies patterns of urban expansion and change. The research analyses changes in land use and land cover (LULC), demographic trends, and real estate values. For LULC change, Satellite imagery from IRS LISS III and LISS IV was used to map built-up areas and vegetation loss, while Shannon's Entropy Index was used to measure urban sprawl and spatial dispersion. Results reveal that as the population increases and land values rise, built-up areas increase significantly from 29.37% in 2003 to 34.10% in 2023, accompanied by a sharp decline in agricultural land and vegetation. The core areas of Panjim exhibited optimal land utilization, while peripheral areas such as Bambolim and Chimbel witnessed rapid real estate growth, indicating decentralization. Demographic estimates show a 43% rise in population from 2011 to 2025, with proportionate land value escalation, particularly in outgrowths due to rising demand. The study reveals interconnections among urban expansion, demographic change, and rising land values, highlighting the reshaping of the city and underscoring the urgent need for integrated urban policies that balance infrastructural growth with ecological sustainability.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

geoplanning

Publisher

Subject

Earth & Planetary Sciences

Description

Geoplanning, Journal of Geomatics and Planning (E-ISSN: 2355-6544), is an open access journal (e-journal) focusing on the scientific works in the field of applied geomatics technologies for urban and regional planning including GIS, Remote Sensing and Satellite Image Processing. This journal is ...