Urban growth analysis of Tamil Nadu state, India using VIIRS DNB night data during 2012 and 2016

Abstract

Cities in developing countries like India are the real drivers of multi-sectoral growth. Temporal information acquired through geo-spatial technology helps in assessing the trends in urban growth. In this context, the urban growth is analyzed for Tamil Nadu State in India, during 2012–2016 using composite VIIRS DNB (Day and Night Band) Sensor Data acquired by the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) satellite. These images depict the night time illumination of different features as digital numbers. The processed VIIRS images have been classified into five categories based on the level of illumination, with high illumination level indicating presence of built up. Change detection with respect to Urban built up of entire Tamil Nadu has been carried out at two levels viz., district wise and also along the corridors. Image processing techniques have been used for classification of two time data sets and GIS has been used for change detection analysis. Based on this analysis districts have been classified into three categories viz., more, medium and less developed districts. By comparing and assessing the different corridors, western corridor is observed to have more urban growth than other areas of Tamil Nadu. A similar trend is observed from thematic maps generated using IRS AWiFS data for the same period. The study has potentials to help the policy makers and planners in developing industrial estates, improving transportation facilities, planning new industrial developments and, many other activities.