Urban Growth Patterns and Spatial Sustainability in Coastal Cities: The Case of Visakhapatnam in India

Coastal cities worldwide, including Kochi, Mangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Visakhapatnam and others in the South Asian region, confront critical environmental challenges such as intensified storm surges, coastal erosion and rising sea levels with NASA projections indicating a rise by 0.1–0.3 m in the coming decades. These urban centres, which serve as pivotal hubs for industry and tourism, undergo rapid expansion, triggering concerns about spatial sustainability. For instance, Vizag, leading the urban population of Andhra Pradesh and poised for further growth as a smart city and the state's executive capital, has undergone significant transformations in growth patterns, necessitating urgent attention to ensure environmental sustainability. Employing LANDSAT satellite imagery and geospatial metrics, this study delves into the growth patterns of Vizag, assessing its spatial sustainability via indicators recommended by UN-Habitat and the Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) for SDG 11.3.1. Emphasizing the urgency of meticulously planned urban development, this chapter underscores the imperative for collaborative action among urban planners, architects, and policymakers to strike a balance between economic advancement and environmental conservation, thereby securing a sustainable and resilient future.