This research examines the evolution of land use patterns in Ludhiana, a smart city in Punjab, India, from 2020 to 2024, focusing on key sectors such as residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural land use. Through data visualization methods including stacked bar charts, area plots, and correlation heatmaps, the study identifies notable shifts in land allocation trends over the five years. The findings reveal a consistent increase in residential land use, rising from 2,500 hectares in 2020 to 2,900 hectares in 2024, driven by urbanization and growing housing demand. Commercial land expanded from 150 hectares to 230 hectares, and industrial areas from 800 hectares to 900 hectares, highlighting the city’s ongoing economic and infrastructural development. In contrast, agricultural land steadily declined from 12,000 hectares in 2020 to 11,200 hectares in 2024, indicating continued urban encroachment into rural zones. The study employs a mixed-methods approach combining legal analysis, institutional review, and statistical modeling—including multiple linear regression (R² = 0.998)—to assess the drivers and governance barriers of land use change. These changes reflect Ludhiana’s transformation from a predominantly agrarian landscape to a more urbanized environment. The trends underscore the urgent need for integrated and sustainable land use planning that balances development with environmental stewardship and food security. The study calls for forward-looking urban policies that safeguard green spaces and promote equitable land management to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding urban population.