Square Yards Study Reveals 332% Urban Expansion in India's Largest Cities Since 1995

A comprehensive study by Square Yards has revealed that India's eight largest metropolitan areas have witnessed their urban built-up footprint nearly doubling over the past three decades. The research, titled "Cities in Motion – Tracing 30 Years of Urban Expansion in Key Indian Cities," shows that the combined developed area across these urban centers increased from approximately 2,136 square kilometers in 1995 to 4,308 square kilometers in 2025.

Remarkable Growth Figures Across Metropolitan Areas

The study highlighted dramatic variations in expansion rates among the cities. Pune's real estate expansion emerged as the most dramatic, with its built-up area growing by approximately 332 percent from 86 to 373 square kilometers, adding 287 square kilometers of developed land.

Bengaluru followed with significant growth of about 186 percent, expanding from 174 to 489 square kilometers and adding 315 square kilometers. Chennai witnessed a 137 percent increase, growing from 270 to 467 square kilometers with an addition of 197 square kilometers.

Ahmedabad doubled its urban area with 102 percent growth, while Delhi NCR's property market expanded by 71 percent, adding the largest absolute area of 400 square kilometers. The total built-up area across all eight cities increased by approximately 2,172 square kilometers.

Infrastructure and Economic Drivers Behind Urban Sprawl

The research identified several key factors contributing to this extensive urban expansion. Cities like Pune and Bengaluru demonstrated horizontal growth patterns, spreading into peri-urban areas due to enhanced infrastructure connectivity including expressways, metro systems, and road networks.

The availability of developable land combined with growing demand from information technology sectors, manufacturing industries, and residential developments drove this outward expansion. Economic diversification through the establishment of technology parks, business districts, and logistics hubs pushed development beyond traditional city boundaries.

In contrast, Mumbai's real estate market showed more constrained growth at 43 percent, reflecting land limitations that encouraged vertical development through high-rises and densification rather than horizontal sprawl.

Transportation Networks Enabling Suburban Growth

Enhanced connectivity through expressways, ring roads, and metro systems enabled built-up areas to extend into suburban and adjoining districts. This improved accessibility made previously remote areas viable for residential and commercial development.

Urban Planning Challenges and Infrastructure Implications

The rapid expansion has created significant challenges for urban planners and infrastructure providers. As built-up areas spread, essential services including water supply, sewage systems, and public transportation often lag behind in peripheral zones unless proper planning measures are implemented.

The conversion of agricultural land, open spaces, and green zones into developed areas affects local ecosystems, natural drainage patterns, and regional climate conditions. Housing demand in these expanding suburban areas creates pressure for affordable housing options, potentially forcing residents into long commutes or inadequately serviced neighborhoods.

Regulatory and Environmental Considerations

Urban planning authorities face the challenge of anticipating growth patterns, implementing appropriate zoning regulations, ensuring environmental compliance, and controlling unplanned expansion. The study emphasized the need for sustainable development policies that balance growth requirements with livability standards.

Sustainability Concerns and Future Monitoring

The research highlighted sustainability concerns related to urban sprawl, including increased transportation emissions, urban heat island effects, and elevated resource consumption. Policy makers are encouraged to promote compact development, mixed land use planning, and public transit integration to address these challenges.

Key areas requiring continued monitoring include peri-urban governance structures, municipal boundary adjustments, and jurisdictional changes. The pace of infrastructure development, particularly in transit systems, utilities, and social infrastructure including schools and hospitals, needs to match expansion rates.

The study also noted the potential role of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities as spillover growth nodes, which could help distribute development pressure away from these eight major metropolitan areas.