This study was focused on assessing an "Implications of Urbanization-Induced Land Use Land Cover Changes on Land Surface Temperature and Thermal Comfort in Dire Dawa City between 2000 and 2022". The City is experiencing rapid urbanization, and limitation of green area aesthetical values that has resulted in remarkable surface temperature. Despite this, until now, no evaluations have been duly executed pertaining to the thermal or ecological factors in Dire Dawa.
The study utilized Landsat 5 (TM), Landsat 9 (OIL/TIRS) and MODIS 11A2 images which were obtained from USGS for the study area. To analyze and show results clearly, ArcGIS 10.8, ERDAS IMAGINE 2014, and Excel 2013 softwares were used. The LULC pattern was processed by supervised classification with the maximum likelihood classification algorithm and four major land use land cover (Built-up area, Barren land, Shrub land, and sparse vegetation) were identified.
The biggest urban problem facing cities around the world today is the result of land use change induced by urbanization. Rapid urbanization, driven by demographic and economic growth, places additional demands on natural resources, leading to changes in land use, particularly in megacities. Due to urbanization and unplanned human activities, the vegetation of the earth's surface is in constant decline, leading to changes in the environment, especially in the earth's ecosystem at local, regional and global scales. Future increases in climate change and urbanization will exacerbate urban heat islands, especially during heatwaves.
Similar to any other cities across the world, different urban areas in Ethiopia are affected by climate change. Dire Dawa city has experienced massive urbanization in terms of population growth, fastest rates of urbanization with a 50 percent growth rate and major changes in the LULC has been a drastic increase in areal extent and coverage. Additionally observed surface improvements such as urban growth, settlement expansion and Construction of new built up or dwelling units in the city, socioeconomic factors, particularly in the context of anthropogenic activities have modified and will continue to modify the case study's microclimate. Despite variations among kebeles, Dire Dawa has population density of 350 people per square kilometer and a growth rate of 4.42 %. As a result, such increasing changes are responsible for increasing surface temperatures, can cause and pose a threat to the city's microclimate.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of the Study
1.2. Statement of the Problem
1.3. Objectives
1.3.1. General Objective
1.3.2. Specific Objectives
1.4. Research Questions
1.5. Significance of the Study
1.6. Delimitation Scope
1.7. Limitations of the study
1.8. Operational Definitions
1.9. Organization of the study
CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. Theoretical Framework
2.1.1. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index
2.1.2. Land Surface Temperature
2.1.3. Urban Thermal Comfort
2.1.4. Normalized Difference Built-Up Index
2.1.5. Land Use Land Cover classification theory
2.2. Empirical Framework
2.2.1. Global perspectives
2.2.2. Local perspectives
2.2.3. Research and knowledge gaps
2.3. Conceptual Framework
CHAPTER III: MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1. Description of the Study Area
3.1.1. Geographic Location
3.1.2. Topography
3.1.3. Population
3.1.4. Economy
3.1.5. Climate
3.2. Research design
3.3. Research Approach
3.4. Sampling Technique
3.5. Types and Sources of Data
3.5.1. Primary Data Sources
3.5.2. Secondary Data Sources
3.6. Methods of data collection
3.7. Materials and software’s
3.8. Methods of Data Analysis
3.8.1. Land Use Land Cover Classification
3.8.2. LULC Classification Accuracy Assessment
3.8.3. Land-use Land-cover change detection
3.8.4. Vegetation Abundance Analysis through NDVI
3.8.5. Land Surface Temperature Analysis
3.8.6. Thermal Comfort Assessment through UTFVI
3.9. Statistical Analysis
3. 10. Methodological Workflow
CHAPTER IV: RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Analysis of LULC Classification
4.2.1. Spatio-Temporal Analysis of LULC
4.2.2. LULC Area Statistical Analysis
4.2.3. LULC Classification Accuracy Assessment
4.3. Vegetation Abundance Analysis through NDVI
4.4. Distribution of LST and its responses to LULC types
4.5. Relationship of LST with Vegetation and Built-up Area
4.5.1. Evaluation of Land Surface Temperature by MODIS 11A2
4.6. Thermal Comfort Assessment through UTFVI
4.7. Major Findings of The Study
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1. Conclusion
5.2. Recommendation
5.3. Suggestions for Future Studies
Research Objectives and Themes
The study aims to assess the implications of urbanization-induced land use and land cover (LULC) changes on land surface temperature (LST) and urban thermal comfort in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, between 2000 and 2022 to provide actionable data for urban planning and climate resilience.
- Analysis of spatiotemporal LULC dynamics using remote sensing and GIS.
- Evaluation of LST variations in relation to different land use types.
- Assessment of the correlation between LST, NDVI, and NDBI indices.
- Determination of urban thermal comfort levels using the Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI).
- Development of insights for sustainable urban planning and mitigation of urban heat islands.
Excerpt from the Book
1.2. Statement of the Problem
The biggest urban problem facing cities around the world today is the result of land use change induced by urbanization. Rapid urbanization, driven by demographic and economic growth, places additional demands on natural resources, leading to changes in land use, particularly in megacities. Due to urbanization and unplanned human activities, the vegetation of the earth's surface is in constant decline, leading to changes in the environment, especially in the earth's ecosystem at local, regional and global scales. Future increases in climate change and urbanization will exacerbate urban heat islands, especially during heatwaves.
Similar to any other cities across the world, different urban areas in Ethiopia are affected by climate change (UN, 2008). Dire Dawa city has experienced massive urbanization in terms of population growth, fastest rates of urbanization with a 50 percent growth rate and major changes in the LULC has been a drastic increase in areal extent and coverage. Additionally observed surface improvements such as urban growth, settlement expansion and Construction of new built up or dwelling units in the city, socioeconomic factors, particularly in the context of anthropogenic activities have modified and will continue to modify the case study's microclimate. Despite variations among kebeles, Dire Dawa has population density of 350 people per square kilometer and a growth rate of 4.42 % (WPR, 2021). As a result, such increasing changes are responsible for increasing surface temperatures, can cause and pose a threat to the city's microclimate.
Global warming is becoming an ever-more pressing issue and its effects are being felt everywhere, in Dire Dawa city. Excessive heat can of course affect people’s health. If exposed for long periods to uncontrolled heat, it can be fatal especially if a person has diabetes or heart disease. These problems are posing a health and sanitation threat to the city. Aware of the growing problem, the city’s administration health office has issued a warning that people should take extra care during the hottest part of the day (Addis zeybe, 2022). The city government is planning to address some of these issues, through five environment related projects, at a total cost of USD $ 4.5 million.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION: Outlines the background of land-use change impacts on local climate, specifically targeting the urban growth challenges and research objectives in Dire Dawa.
CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW: Reviews theoretical and empirical research regarding LULC classification metrics, remote sensing of land surface temperatures, and urban thermal indices.
CHAPTER III: MATERIALS AND METHODS: Describes the geographical context of the study area, data sources (Landsat, MODIS, Google Earth), and the quantitative analytical methodologies including supervised classification and thermal indices.
CHAPTER IV: RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: Presents the statistical findings on LULC transformation, NDVI trends, LST variations, and thermal comfort status, supported by spatial maps and regression analysis.
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Concludes the study by summarizing the environmental findings and providing strategic recommendations for stakeholders to promote sustainable urban development.
Keywords
Urbanization, Land Use Land Cover Change, Land Surface Temperature, Thermal Comfort, Urban Heat Island, Dire Dawa, Remote Sensing, NDVI, NDBI, UTFVI, Ecological Evaluation Index, Climate Change, Urban Planning, Sustainability, Geospatial Analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research focuses on analyzing how urbanization and land-use land-cover (LULC) changes have influenced land surface temperatures (LST) and urban thermal comfort in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, over a 22-year period.
What are the central thematic fields?
The key themes include remote sensing, urban ecology, geomatics engineering, thermal comfort assessment, and sustainable urban environmental management.
What is the primary objective of the study?
To assess the environmental impacts of urbanization-induced land cover changes on the local microclimate and thermal comfort levels to inform urban planning and climate adaptation policies.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The study employs a quantitative approach using satellite imagery (Landsat and MODIS), supervised classification algorithms, and specific indices like NDVI, NDBI, and UTFVI for statistical and spatial modeling.
What does the main content cover?
The main content evaluates LULC trends, the statistical correlation between increased built-up areas and rising surface temperatures, and the resulting thermal variances within the city.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Urbanization, LULC, Land Surface Temperature, Thermal Comfort, NDVI, NDBI, UTFVI, and sustainable development.
How is the Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI) used in this study?
It is used as a tool to quantify the thermal comfort level of the urban environment, segmenting the city into six ecological categories ranging from 'Excellent' to 'Worst'.
What conclusion does the author draw regarding built-up land expansion?
The author concludes that rapid urban expansion into flat, accessible areas at the expense of vegetation and shrub land significantly contributes to higher land surface temperatures and worsened ecological conditions.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Ermias Belete (Autor:in), 2023, The Impacts of Urbanization-induced Land Use and Land Cover Change on Land Surface Temperature and Thermal Comfort. The Case of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1435939
