Remote Sensing for Settlement Patterns in Metropolitan Regions: the Case of National Capital Region (ncr) of Delhi, India

The author earlier conducted a research, attempting to make two models, one for understanding, monitoring and describing settlement patterns in metropolitan regions, dependant primarily on remotely sensed data; and the second, for predicting settlement patterns in such regions, using National Capital Region (NCR), of Delhi, India, as a case study. As part of the model, a transferable approach of the ‘Continuously Built-up Area’ (CBA) was adopted, which allows identification of settlements at different levels of generalization. With the capability of providing frequent and synoptic views over large areas, remotely sensed data (e.g., satellite images) proved to be a useful base for carrying out macro-analyses of settlement patterns, at frequent intervals. The model for prediction was applied for the target year of 2001. About 10 years have passed by since the base year of data collection. While the region has changed tremendously during these years, recent data (Census of India, 2001) pertaining to the then target year (2001) is also now available. The moment is also apt, keeping in mind that the Regional Plan – 2001 National Capital Region has now expired and the Draft Regional Plan 2021 has just come in. This paper reviews the models for 2001. It has been found that the predictions made by the model with regard to settlements becoming `towns’, CBAs and couples have largely come true. It also confirms the role satellite images can play in reasonably predicting settlement patterns in metropolitan regions.