ABSTRACT The issue of sprawl and compact city development has been a major concern in sustainable urban development. A compact city strategy emphasizes increasing density to save energy and create more livable urban forms; whilst a sprawl emphasizes the need to provide space for gardens and family needs. The Compact City Model is considered one of the planning strategies that can contain urban sprawl and develop more sustainable cities, in the environmental, social and economic dimensions. It is understood that the form of a town or city can affect sustainability. It is also widely accepted that a relationship exists between the shape, size, density, and functions of a city, and its sustainability (Williams, D. K., 2000). This study has attempted to explore the possibility of compact development as a sustainable growth model for Jaipur city. The study constitutes a remote sensing analysis approach to assess urban expansion and change in land cover specially increase in built up area from 1991 to 2010. Then it focuses on understanding the planning process in India and reviewing Master Development Plan of Jaipur (1991, 2011 and 2025). Outcome of analysis shows that there is an increase in a built up area around 107.8 sq km in 1991 to 195.8 sq km in 2010.The main focus of the study is to answer whether Jaipur can adopt compact development as a part of strategy in current planning process for sustainable growth of city in absence of which loss of agriculture land and sprawling will continue to be a major concern.