Applications of Geospatial Information Technology to Alleviate Urban Problems in Mumbai, India

Dhananjay Satale GIS Professional
Rolta India,
India
Email: dhananjay_satale@yahoo.com



Mumbai (Bombay) is among the highest populated cities in the world with a staggering population figure of approximately seventeen Million people. The pressure exerted by the evergrowing population has resulted in drastic landuse changes in the last sixty to seventy years. The city aims to become one of the world’s financial hubs by meeting financial goals and economic development at the cost of providing basic amenities and infrastructure to its mostly impoverished population. Just like any City of a developing nation, Mumbai is also characterised by typical urban issues some of which are below standard of living in the slums, inadequate hygiene and sanitation, lack of coordinated planning and development, improper drainage system, traffic congestion. This paper is an attempt to focus on some of these problems and suggest methods where geospatial technologies (Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems) may play a significant role in understanding these problems and provide solutions.