ABSTRACT
The urbanisation rate has significantly increased since the declaration of Ranchi as the capital city of Jharkhand. This research work studies the pattern and trend of urban growth in Ranchi city with an explanation of its causative factors. Further, this work aims to critically analyse the implementation of the proposed master plan of the city, which has been framed to manage and regulate the growth of the city. First, trends and patterns of population growth since 1991 have been analysed and the change in land use and land cover has been highlighted. The study shows that the city has experienced a population increase from 599,306 to 1,073,440 from 1991 to 2011 (census of India) and the decadal growth rate was 26.72% from 2001 to 2011. Examination of the Ranchi master plan through a geospatial technique defines the plan’s failure on the ground in proper execution. Rapid urbanisation has adversely affected the master plan. The urban expansion along the major road illustrates that the road plays a major role in the expansion of urbanisation.
