Jamalpur municipality along the river Brahmaputra was established in 1869. Since then the population has been increasing at a higher rate following urbanization. Geomorphologically, the area is divided into nine mappable units, such as active channel, abandoned channel, ephemeral channel, channel bar, oxbow lake, madhupur clay, low flood plain, high flood plain and flood basin. A geotechnical zonation map has been prepared using a geomorphological map, subsurface lithology, geotechnical properties of different geomorphic units and clay mineralogy. Zone-A is the best possible zone for engineering construction. Zone-B could be used for engineering construction with a little modification of the site and also for waste disposal site, whereas Zone-C and Zone-D are not suitable for any kind of construction.

Urbanization has not only brought economic and cultural development, but also sufferings to urban population. In the developing countries, urbanization has been going on without any consideration for geoscientific information. The obvious consequence of such indiscriminate sprawling is the generation of various problems in the form of water logging, drainage congestion, flooding, ground water contamination, riverbank erosion, waste disposal, etc.

Infrastructure development, urbanization and its expansion depend on various geologic and non-geologic parameters. The geologic parameters include physiographic and geomorphic conditions, geologic setting, subsurface lithology, flooding, etc. It is essential to consider the geologic parameters before making any developmental plan in order to avoid unwanted events that can create destructions to the lives and properties of humankind. Therefore, decision makers should consider the geologic parameters prior to the implementation of urban planning.