GIS-Based Framework for Local Spatial Planning in Hill Areas

Abstract

Spatial planning plays an important role in achieving efficient and sustainable development in hill areas. It is more critical in hill areas because of the scarcity of land having potential for development. One of the problems frequently faced by planners is the absence of a quantitative approach for spatial planning at the local level. In the present study, an attempt has been made to develop the framework for spatial planning at the local level for hill areas. In the process of development of the framework, three tasks have been completed. First, existing spatial planning approaches and frameworks used at the local level have been reviewed. Second, the conceptual framework has been developed for spatial planning based on the review of existing frameworks. Third, the geographic information system based methodology has been developed to execute the developed conceptual framework. The developed framework has been executed for validation on one of the proposed spatial planning projects in hills. The developed framework has been found useful in making spatial planning decisions for both practitioners and researchers involved in the development of hill areas.