CONCLUSION

 The statistics and analysis both quantitatively and qualitatively presented here illustrate the spatial distribution of recent patterns of urbanisation in the tier II cities, Karnataka, India. Land cover analysis reveals that there was reduction in the vegetation cover during the past two decades in the study regions. Land use analysis reveals of increase in urban category increased in last two decades. Spatial analysis revealed that land use in the outskirts is fragmented. Shannon’s entropy showed that there was urban sprawl in the outskirts necessitating immediate policy measures to provide infrastructure and basic amenities. Landscape metrics conform of the urban sprawl in the buffer zone, whereas the core area had mix of classes and as we go from the center towards administrative boundary the urban density intensifies. Governmental agencies need to visualize possible growth poles for an effective policy intervention. Any efforts to do so, however, must take into account the multitude of social, environmental and biophysical realities that will continue to shape the region’s future. Physical urban growth in the region will undoubtedly continue, but it is required that the city planners and developers of all these cities take a note of the situation and plan for further developmental urban activities in a sound and sustainable way.