Urban sprawl and urban expansion using shannon’s entropy and its impact on changing climate: a case study of kannur city, Kannur

This study conducts an urban sprawl in the urban area of Kannur city, Kannur, Kerala, over the years 2016 and 2024. The primary objective is to assess the extent and pattern of urban growth in these rapidly expanding urban areas. The analysis is based on land use and built-up area changes, utilising key indices such as Shannon’s Entropy and the Landscape Expansion Index (LEI). Satellite imagery and GIS tools were utilised to extract land-use/land-cover data, and statistical methods were employed to assess the degree of urban sprawl. Shannon’s Entropy is used to quantify urban sprawl by measuring the distribution of built-up areas, while the LEI assess the expansion of urbanisation and the proportion of urban land relative to the total area. The findings reveal varying degrees of urban sprawl in urban areas of Kannur, particularly in peripheral regions, driven by socio-economic factors and infrastructural developments. Also exhibits significant sprawl, largely concentrated in residential areas. The study underscores the importance of spatial planning and sustainable land management to mitigate the negative consequences of unplanned urbanisation. This research contributes valuable insights into regional disparities in urbanisation patterns and offers a framework for future urban planning efforts.