Novel framework towards integration of Environmental Carrying Capacity for Sustainable Spatial Planning: A Systematic Approach in Indian context

Environmental Carrying Capacity (ECC) refers to the anthropogenic influence which environment can sustain without irreversible damage to the system. Many metropolitan regions worldwide are experiencing the negative environmental consequences of exceeding the ECC due to unplanned expansion. In coastal and ecologically fragile areas, unregulated development further exacerbates these socio-ecological pressures, making ECC a crucial determinant for sustainable spatial planning. Despite these challenges, urban planning frameworks rarely operationalize ECC as a core principle in policy decisions and development plans, prioritizing instead short-term economic gains with weak sustainability. This research makes an attempt to integrate ECC, as mechanism in spatial planning, employing multi-method approach through extensive and systematic review of literature, bibliometric analysis, and case study evaluations of real-world scenarios. In addition, a bibliometric analysis of 500+ ECC-related studies (1995–2025) from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases has been conducted using Biblioshiny (R), and VOSviewer for visualization, exploring research trends, thematic areas, and methodological advancements. Moreover, an evaluation of 25+ Master Plans of Indian Cities under implementation have been assessed, to have clear understanding the extent of integration of ECC principles in urban development policies. This exploratory study highlights the inevitable requirement for a comprehensive framework to integrate ECC into urban planning. The study discusses challenges in current urban planning process and paves way to incorporate ECC principles in spatial planning. Based on the findings, the research conceptualizes an Integrated Spatial Planning Framework (ISP-F), which act as a blueprint, and catalyze in promoting sustainable spatial planning for transforming urban systems.