CONCLUSION

The analysis of land cover dynamics for the period of analysis 1989 - 2010 shows that area under vegetation (cultivation and forests) has declined from 97% (1989) to 78% (2010) in Hubli and from 98% (1989) to 86% (2010) in Dharwad. Urban area has increased from 1.08 (1989) to 14.62 (2010)%.  Shannon entropy shows that Hubli-Dharwad is experiencing the tendency of sprawl in all directions. Spatial metrics reveal that the urban core of Hubli – Dharwad changed moderately over time and exhibited a spread out pattern of urban development with a moderate to low concentration of urban area towards the periphery.

Time series data analyses reveal the transformation for the urban sector along with different sectors, revealing the importance and use of detailed analysis of changes in land use. The evaluation also identified a continuous increase in the urban areas that is replacing the predominant agricultural areas in both the twin cities. The gradient pattern of analysis and the landscape metric analysis demonstrated distinct transformation phases and the complexity of changes in land use, indicating a transfer from agricultural dominated characteristics to an intensive process of peri-urbanisation or sprawl and finally, ending in urban consolidation.

Spatial metrics computed for gradients using temporal data aided in visualizing and modeling the patterns of urban growth which is required for planning framework associated with the future Master Plan for the evolution of systematic processes, and also to regulate abrupt transition processes, given their importance in urban growth. Results of the study produced  very  interesting  results  both   qualitative  and  quantitative  outputs,  especially  as inputs for the spatial  decision-making  support  systems,  to play a vital role  in  better decision-making.