Altaf Hussain holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Geography at the South Asia Institute (SAI), Heidelberg University, Germany. His academic journey is marked by diverse and specialised studies. He received his master’s degree in planning with a specialization in Regional Planning from School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi, India. Additionally, he earned his master’s and bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Department of Geography, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi, India. He is also the associate member of the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI), reflecting his commitment and recognised expertise in the field of urban and regional planning. His professional and academic pursuits are deeply rooted in the study of human-environment relationships, human geography, urban and regional planning, disaster management, and sustainable development. His research focuses on the mountainous regions of the Himalaya and Hindu Kush Himalaya, with a particular emphasis on the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, India. In these regions, he explores the intricate dynamics between humans and their environment, investigating how these relationships are shaped by and contribute to the distinct geographical and environmental conditions of mountainous landscapes, with a special focus on Ladakh and the broader Himalayan region.

• Introduction.- Study Area.- Methodological Approach and Data Collection.- Historical Development of Ladakh.- Urban Landscape Dynamics.- Urban Infrastructure Challenges.- Dynamics of Landcover Transformation.- Discussion, Conclusion, and Recommendations.

Altaf Hussain holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Geography at the South Asia Institute (SAI), Heidelberg University, Germany. His academic journey is marked by diverse and specialised studies. He received his master’s degree in planning with a specialization in Regional Planning from School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi, India. Additionally, he earned his master’s and bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Department of Geography, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi, India. He is also the associate member of the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI), reflecting his commitment and recognised expertise in the field of urban and regional planning. His professional and academic pursuits are deeply rooted in the study of human-environment relationships, human geography, urban and regional planning, disaster management, and sustainable development. His research focuses on the mountainous regions of the Himalaya and Hindu Kush Himalaya, with a particular emphasis on the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, India. In these regions, he explores the intricate dynamics between humans and their environment, investigating how these relationships are shaped by and contribute to the distinct geographical and environmental conditions of mountainous landscapes, with a special focus on Ladakh and the broader Himalayan region.

• Introduction.- Study Area.- Methodological Approach and Data Collection.- Historical Development of Ladakh.- Urban Landscape Dynamics.- Urban Infrastructure Challenges.- Dynamics of Landcover Transformation.- Discussion, Conclusion, and Recommendations.

Altaf Hussain holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Geography at the South Asia Institute (SAI), Heidelberg University, Germany. His academic journey is marked by diverse and specialised studies. He received his master’s degree in planning with a specialization in Regional Planning from School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi, India. Additionally, he earned his master’s and bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Department of Geography, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi, India. He is also the associate member of the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI), reflecting his commitment and recognised expertise in the field of urban and regional planning. His professional and academic pursuits are deeply rooted in the study of human-environment relationships, human geography, urban and regional planning, disaster management, and sustainable development. His research focuses on the mountainous regions of the Himalaya and Hindu Kush Himalaya, with a particular emphasis on the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, India. In these regions, he explores the intricate dynamics between humans and their environment, investigating how these relationships are shaped by and contribute to the distinct geographical and environmental conditions of mountainous landscapes, with a special focus on Ladakh and the broader Himalayan region.

• Introduction.- Study Area.- Methodological Approach and Data Collection.- Historical Development of Ladakh.- Urban Landscape Dynamics.- Urban Infrastructure Challenges.- Dynamics of Landcover Transformation.- Discussion, Conclusion, and Recommendations.