Assessing the Impact of Urban Sprawl on Agricultural Land Use in Rangpur Sadar Using GIS and Remote Sensing

This research investigates the rapid changes in land use patterns in Rangpur Sadar over the period from 2008 to 2024. With the region experiencing substantial urban growth, this study aims to analyze the spatial extent, directional trends, and consequences of urban sprawl on the district’s agricultural landscape. Utilizing high-resolution satellite imagery and GIS-based spatial analysis, the research mapped land use changes, identified sprawl patterns, and quantified the impact on agricultural areas. The results show a striking increase in built-up areas, expanding from 2,837.1 hectares (9%) in 2008 to 12,625 hectares (36%) in 2024, primarily concentrated in the east (E, ENE, ESE) and northwest (NW, WNW) directions, indicating a clear trend driven by population growth and infrastructure development. Conversely, agricultural land has significantly declined, dropping from 12,946.7 hectares to 3,053.53 hectares within the same period. The most rapid decline occurred between 2008 and 2016 when agricultural land decreased by over 62% due to the conversion of fertile fields into urban infrastructure. The study also highlights how urban sprawl has led to the fragmentation of farmlands, reducing their productivity and efficiency while introducing environmental pressures like soil degradation and pollution. The research found that areas within a 5-kilometer radius of the Central Business District (CBD) are particularly affected by high-density urbanization. Based on these findings, the study concludes that unchecked urban sprawl poses a serious threat to the food security and agricultural sustainability of Rangpur Sadar and recommends zoning regulations, urban growth boundaries, and sustainable urban planning supported by GIS and remote sensing.