This paper integrates fuzzy multi-criteria decision making approach represented by the fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and GIS to study the spatio-temporal patterns of land use dynamics in urban and peri-urban areas of Lucknow – capital city of India’s largest State Uttar Pradesh. Satellite pictures from past and present are used for evaluating urban growth in terms of carrying capacity, land suitability and resource constraints. Land capability and urban suitability analysis is performed from a landscape perspective with weighted factors and constraint threshold using Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) method. Land use conflict analysis is carried out to explore disagreements between urban suitability and Master Plan 2021. The finding shows that patterns of urban growth do not follow Master Plan and even Master Plan deviate profoundly from the preferred land suitability. Of the total area of the conserved, greenbelt, reserved forests and floodplain as per the defined land suitability class, 4.18% of the area has been converted into existing builtup/settlements whereas 46.36% of the total area is proposed under residential settlements, business districts and commercial land use under the Master Plan 2021. Therefore, with the process of urban sprawl in the core and at the peri-urban interface, conserved area such as greenbelt, open spaces and floodplains are threatened and will be rendered fragile. It will also create enormous infrastructure and resource crisis in the future, far beyond the capacities of governments and institutions. Project outcome would assist planners and land developers to evaluate whether development goals are in agreement with the intended land use objectives and if yes, how the resources should best be used to optimize city’s enabling infrastructure and carrying capacity.