Quantitative Analysis of Urban Expansion and Spatial Entropy in Lamka Town, India

Urban growth and spatial dispersion are important indications of changing land use dynamics, especially in fast growing municipalities. Rapid population growth and unplanned expansion in developing towns have significantly altered land use patterns, necessitating systematic assessment for sustainable planning. This study aims to evaluate the pattern, intensity and spatial characteristics of urban expansion in Lamka town. It employs geospatial techniques and quantitative analysis to provide a reliable understanding of urban transformation and its implications for future development. This study examines the spatio-temporal dynamics of urban growth and spatial dispersion in Lamka town, Manipur, over a 30-year period (1995-2025) using remote sensing and Shannon entropy analysis. Multi-temporal Landsat datasets were classified into built-up and non-built-up categories using the supervised Maximum Likelihood method. The study found that the built-up area increased from 8.5 km 2 in 1995 to 58.5 km 2 by 2025, whereas non-built-up land decreased. Accuracy assessment demonstrates strong dependability, with overall accuracy above 88% and Kappa values greater than 0.85. Shannon entropy values increased from 0.10 to 0.44, indicating a shift from compact to dispersed urban growth. The entropy graph shows a constant rising trend, with the most rapid growth occurring between 2015 and 2025. This reflects intensified peri-urban expansion and spatial fragmentation. The study exposes the expanding urban sprawl and highlights the urgent need for effective planning strategies and policy interventions to ensure sustainable urban development.