IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) e-ISSN: 2319-2402,p- ISSN: 2319-2399.Volume 14, Issue 4 Ser. III (April. 2020), PP 01-11 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/2402-1404030111 www.iosrjournals.org 1 | Page Dynamic Land Use Changes and Detecting the Direction of Urbanization Using Remote Sensing Technique in the Major Urban Centers of Cumilla, Bangladesh Kawser 1 , U., Sarwar 2 , M.I., Ali 3 , K.M.B. 1 (M.S. Student, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh 2, 3 (Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh Abstract: Background: Land use and land cover (LULC) variations are a dynamic phenomenon caused by natural and human-made factors. It is caused by the expansion of impervious surfaces, anthropogenic activities, resulting in encroachment of land and continuous deforestation. This study is an attempt to assess the spatio-temporal LULC changes and calculate the degree of land-use changes along with detecting the direction of urban expansion in the Cumilla City (1999-2019) using the Landsat satellite images. Materials and Methods: LULC changes of major areas of Cumilla city (Cumilla Adarsha Sadar and Sadar Dakshin Upazila) from 1999 to 2019 have investigated using Landsat TM and Landsat OLI images of the year 1999, 2009 and 2019. Supervised classification was conducted to accentuate land use classifications. Weightage of changes in land use classification, land use transfer matrix, spatial pattern of transfer, magnitude of change and dynamic degree of changes have used to evaluate the differences as well as identify the direction of urbanization. Results: Waterbodies had the highest rate of negative progressive change throughout the research period, the most susceptive category for change, and it was highest in 1999-2009 for both territories. From 2009-2019, the mixed forest had a dramatic change, which was 2.26% to -0.69% in Sadar Dakshin. Where the changes in the Adarsha Sadar was normal as it was previously an urban area, but the change in the Sadar Dakshin was surprising because it was predominantly an agrarian area and the speed was increasing indicating urban expansion in the study area. For both areas, urbanization firstly inserts pressure on the conversion of waterbodies and agricultural land. After a certain level of development, this pressure shifted to mixed forest land which was very dynamic. Conclusion: The qualification of LULC of Cumilla city is beneficial for draw attention the local government for land use zoning for proper utilization of land, planned urban development and environmental groups to better understand the surrounding. Key Word: Land Use and Land Cover, Remote Sensing, GIS, Waterbodies and Agricultural Transformation --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 10-04-2020 Date of Acceptance: 24-04-2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Land use and land cover (LULC) changes simply mean the modification of the earth land surface by human interaction. Land cover refers to the physical and organic shield over the surface of the land, including water, mixed forest, bare soil, and artificial structures (Ellis, 2007). The endless growth of population exerts severe pressure on land, which is linked with agricultural demand and use, urbanization and economic development, science and technology etc. (Yesmin, et al., 2014). Urban development is a common occurrence in almost all nations over the world though the rate of growth varies. Land use land cover changes are one of the significant environmental concerns that need special attention to analyse and monitor for effecting management of land resources. Land use/land cover inventories are presumptuous growing importance in various sectors like urban planning, agricultural and infrastructural development (Imura et al., 1999). In recent years, urbanization is a crucial trend in large cities around the world (Weber, 2003). The primary transformation of land use in these areas conversion of one kind of land uses into urban land. In the massive city area, land-use change is a complicated process; this process is influenced by a lot of factors, together with physical and human features. On the other hand, rapid urbanization is generally connected and forced by social-economic factors. Again, the urbanization process has a remarkable impact on the economic sector of the society that particular area (Epstein et al., 2002 and He et al., 2006). So, the detection of urban land change is essential for the local government planners. However, Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools are used for the collection of