The main objective of this research is to assess the extent to which urbanization is impacting vegetation in Accra Metropolis from 2002, 2008 and 2020.
There has been a rapid urbanization growth in Ghana, according to the Ghana Statistical Service there has been an increase in the urban population from about 23% in 1960 to about approximately 44% in 2000 and there has been a further increase to about 50% in the year 2010. This abrupt change in population signifies an increase in the urban settlement.
Inevitably, urbanization is seen as an outcome of economic growth and increase in population growth. An increase in these factors exert external problems on the land cover. This increase has led to the depletion of vegetation, pollution of water bodies and poor sanitation in Ghana. The development of Ghana has neglected the long term impact of urban expansion on vegetation. Accra is noted to be an economic centre dominated by the buying and selling of goods and services on open streets. This threatens the green pastures in the city centres.
Table of Contents
- Chapter One: Introduction
- Introduction
- Problem Statement
- Research Objectives
- Research Questions
- Organization of the study
- Chapter Two: Literature Review
- Introduction
- Urban Vegetation act as Carbon Sink
- Urban Vegetation as Urban Air Filtering
- Urban Vegetation Influence Air Temperatures
- Chapter Three: Study Area and Methodology
- Study Area
- Secondary Data Type
- Data Source
- Data Pre-processing
- Layerstacking
- Data Processing and Analysis
- Chapter Four: Results
- Vegetation Cover
- Proportion of Available Land Cover
- Statistical Change Analysis of Vegetation and Urban Areas
- Chapter Five: Conclusion and Recommendation
- Conclusion
- Recommendation
Objectives and Key Themes
This research assesses the impact of urbanization on vegetation in Accra Metropolis from 2002 to 2018. The study aims to quantify the extent of vegetation loss due to urban expansion and analyze its implications. The research utilizes remote sensing applications to track changes in land cover over time.
- The extent of vegetation cover change in Accra Metropolis between 2002 and 2018.
- The relationship between urban growth and vegetation loss in Accra.
- The implications of vegetation loss for the environment and urban sustainability in Accra.
- Application of remote sensing techniques for monitoring urban environmental change.
- The importance of integrating urban vegetation considerations into urban planning.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter One: Introduction: This chapter introduces the study, highlighting the rapid urbanization in Ghana and its impact on vegetation. It establishes the problem of vegetation loss in Accra due to unchecked urban expansion, particularly emphasizing the economic center's encroachment on green spaces. The research objectives and questions are clearly defined, focusing on assessing vegetation cover changes between 2002, 2008, and 2020 and the implications of urban growth. The introduction effectively frames the study's scope and relevance to other urbanizing cities in West Africa.
Chapter Two: Literature Review: This chapter explores the existing literature on the crucial role of urban vegetation. It examines the multiple benefits of urban vegetation, including its function as a carbon sink, air filter, and regulator of air temperature. It also highlights the negative socio-environmental impacts of vegetation loss, referencing studies such as Shirazi and Kazmi (2016) on Lahore, Pakistan, to underscore the global significance of the issue. The chapter sets the stage for the study by establishing the importance of urban vegetation and the negative consequences of its depletion.
Chapter Three: Study Area and Methodology: This chapter details the study area (Accra Metropolis) and the methodology employed. It describes the types of secondary data used, their sources, and the pre-processing steps involved. The chapter explains the techniques utilized for layer stacking, data processing, and analysis, laying out the technical framework for the study's data analysis and interpretation. The focus is on explaining how the data will be used to answer the research questions.
Chapter Four: Results: This chapter presents the findings of the study, focusing on the changes in vegetation cover and the proportion of available land cover over time. The core of this chapter is likely to be the statistical analysis showing how urban areas have grown at the expense of vegetation. It would also detail any correlations found between urban expansion and vegetation reduction, providing crucial quantitative data to support the study's conclusions.
Keywords
Urbanization, vegetation, Accra Metropolis, remote sensing, land cover change, urban planning, environmental impact, sustainability, West Africa, green spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Urbanization and Vegetation Loss in Accra Metropolis
What is the focus of this research?
This research assesses the impact of urbanization on vegetation in Accra Metropolis, Ghana, between 2002 and 2018. It quantifies vegetation loss due to urban expansion and analyzes the environmental and sustainability implications. The study uses remote sensing to track land cover changes.
What are the key objectives and themes?
Key objectives include quantifying vegetation cover change, analyzing the relationship between urban growth and vegetation loss, assessing the environmental implications of this loss, and demonstrating the application of remote sensing for monitoring urban environmental change. Key themes revolve around the extent of vegetation loss, its relationship with urban expansion, its implications for environmental sustainability, and the role of remote sensing and urban planning.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents covers: an Introduction (including problem statement, objectives, research questions, and study organization); a Literature Review on urban vegetation's role as a carbon sink, air filter, and temperature regulator; a section detailing the Study Area and Methodology (including data types, sources, preprocessing, and analysis); a Results chapter presenting vegetation cover change and statistical analysis; and finally, a Conclusion and Recommendation chapter.
What methodologies were used?
The study utilizes remote sensing applications and secondary data to track changes in land cover over time. The methodology includes data pre-processing, layer stacking, and statistical analysis to quantify vegetation loss and its correlation with urban growth.
What are the key findings (as summarized)?
The results chapter will present quantitative data on changes in vegetation cover and the proportion of available land cover over time. It will analyze the statistical relationship between urban expansion and vegetation reduction in Accra Metropolis.
What are the implications of the research?
The research highlights the environmental impact of unchecked urban expansion on vegetation in Accra. The findings have implications for urban planning and sustainability efforts, emphasizing the need to integrate urban vegetation considerations into future development plans.
What are the key words associated with this research?
Key words include: Urbanization, vegetation, Accra Metropolis, remote sensing, land cover change, urban planning, environmental impact, sustainability, West Africa, and green spaces.
What is covered in each chapter?
The provided text gives detailed summaries for each chapter. Chapter One introduces the study and its objectives. Chapter Two reviews existing literature on urban vegetation. Chapter Three details the study area and methodology. Chapter Four presents the results of the analysis. Chapter Five concludes the study and offers recommendations.
- Quote paper
- Prince Boateng (Author), 2020, The Impact of Urbanization on Vegetation in Accra Metropolis, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1245141
