Optimising resources and localising sustainability through hierarchical village clustering in Nagpur Metropolitan Region, India

Abstract Achieving sustainability in rural areas requires innovative approaches that harness local resources and community capacities for resilient and inclusive development. Accordingly, this paper proposes a structured methodology for localising sustainability through hierarchical village clustering, grounded in principles of sustainability analysis for resource-based rural development. The approach involves a multi-step framework comprising (i) assessment of villages based on socioeconomic and environmental indicators, (ii) application of clustering algorithms to group villages with similar development characteristics, and (iii) spatial analysis using GIS to examine geographic proximity and interdependencies among clusters. The study uses Analytical tools in R-Studio to perform the quantitative clustering based on development indicators, while GIS integrates spatial context to identify spatial coherence and proximity-based dynamics. Applied to the Nagpur Metropolitan Region, India, the method demonstrates how clusters can guide targeted interventions aligned with each cluster’s specific sustainability needs and capacities. By elucidating the benefits of clustering and showcasing its implementation in the context of the study area, this research aims to contribute key strategies based on individual clusters’ sustainability challenges that resonate far beyond the boundaries of a single region, catalysing a paradigm shift towards inclusive, sustainable communities.