Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.3390/rs12081306
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Assessment of urban dynamics to understand spatiotemporal differentiation at various scales using remote sensing and geospatial tools
Author Anees, M.M.; Mann, D.; Sharma, M.; Banzhaf, E.; Joshi, P.K.
Source Titel Remote Sensing
Year 2020
Department SUSOZ
Volume 12
Issue 8
Page From art. 1306
Language englisch
Supplements https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/12/8/1306/s1
Keywords landscape metrics; growth type; spatio-autocorrelation; urban growth theory; Srinagar; Himalaya
Abstract Analysis of urban dynamics is a pivotal step towards understanding landscape changes and developing scientifically sound urban management strategies. Delineating the patterns and processes shaping the evolution of urban regions is an essential part of this step. Utilizing remote-sensing techniques and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, we performed an integrated analysis on urban expansion in Srinagar city and surrounding areas from 1999 to 2017 at multiple scales in order to assist urban planning initiatives. To capture various spatial indicators of expansion, we analysed (i) land use/land cover (LULC) changes, (ii) rate and intensity of changes to built-up areas, (iii) spatial differentiation in landscape metrics (at 500, 1000 and 2000 m cell-size), and (iv) growth type of the urban expansion. Global Moran’s I statistics and local indicators of spatial association (LISA) were also employed to identify hotspots of change in landscape structure. Our methodology utilizes a range of geovisualization tools which are capable of appropriately addressing various elements required for strategic planning in growing cities. The results highlight aggregation and homogenization of the urban core as well as irregularity and fragmentation in its periphery. A combination of spatial metrics and growth type analysis supports the supposition that there is a continuum in the diffusion-coalescence process. This allows us to extend our understanding of urban growth theory and to report deviations from accepted stages of growth. As our results show, each dominating growth phase of the city—both diffusion (1999) and coalescence (2009 and 2017)—is interspersed with features from the other type. An improved understanding of spatial differentiation and the identification of hotspots can serve to make urban planning more tailored to such local conditions. An important insight derived from the results is the applicability of remote-sensing data in urban planning measures and the usefulness of freely available medium resolution data in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of cities.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=23025
Anees, M.M., Mann, D., Sharma, M., Banzhaf, E., Joshi, P.K. (2020):
Assessment of urban dynamics to understand spatiotemporal differentiation at various scales using remote sensing and geospatial tools
Remote Sens. 12 (8), art. 1306 10.3390/rs12081306