Coasts in contrast: A spatio-temporal analysis of urban expansion and environmental stress in Purba Medinipur and Balasore
Author(s): Gobinda De and Vijay Kumar Gonekar
Abstract: Coastal areas of east India have experienced fast urban growth over the past decades, quite frequently compromising environmental integrity. In the present research, a comparative spatio-temporal examination of Purba Medinipur (West Bengal) and Balasore (Odisha) during 2000-2025 has been conducted using multi-temporal satellite imagery. A new Coastal Urban Stress Index (CUSI) was created to measure environmental stress resulting from urbanization, combining land use change, coastal erosion, air and water pollution indicators. GIS and remote sensing methods were used to map land use and pinpoint key vulnerability hotspots. The results indicate a significant expansion of built-up lands and related stress in both the districts with greater environmental fragility in Balasore. The study documents the temporal association of urban policy changes with environmental degradation. The study offers a geospatial reference for policymakers, planners, and environmental authorities to adopt sustainable urban policies in coastal areas of eastern India.
Pages: 54-57 | Views: 246 | Downloads: 60Download Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Gobinda De, Vijay Kumar Gonekar. Coasts in contrast: A spatio-temporal analysis of urban expansion and environmental stress in Purba Medinipur and Balasore. Int J Geogr Geol Environ 2025;7(8):54-57.
