ABSTRACT
Sustainable development can be defined as development that delivers for the requirements of the present without compromising the capacity of prospective generations to meet their needs. The Geographic Information System (GIS) plays a vital role in the practice of urban planning and management. The growing application of GIS in urban planning and designing provides more opportunities for qualitative and quantitative analyses, thereby improving the approach based on decision-making and the knowledge-based decision-making process. This study is based mainly upon the multi-criteria decision analysis approach along with the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to delineate urban growth in Pathankot city. This study was conducted to identify suitable sites for urban development using various socioeconomic criteria, environmental effects, and physical factors. Ten criteria were selected and data were generated from high-resolution data. The results show that 13% of the area is under the category of most suitable and about 70% of the area is in the suitable category. Urban site suitability for the development of built-up areas will help local bodies and developmental authorities with plans and urban modernisation. This technique of suitability analysis can be used for compilation and analysis for the purpose of the establishment of a smart city with proper planning and management.
