Geo-Spatial Approach for Urban Green Space and Environmental Quality Assessment: a case study of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

The degradation of environmental conditions due to unsustainable human activities has made cities increasingly stressful. This unsustainable use of the urban environment has led to a decline in various environmental aspects, including natural vegetation, climate, wetlands, and wildlife. The rapid expansion of infrastructure and population growth has significantly altered the natural, cultural, and social structures of cities. Regular updates on Urban Environmental Quality (UEQ) are crucial for effective city planning. The aim of the study was to explore the use of urban greenery as an indicator of changes in Urban Environmental Quality (UEQ) in Addis Ababa, using natural parameters from satellite imagery and socioeconomic data from census records. The study employed a quantitative approach, integrating physical environmental variables such as land-use/land-cover (LULC), land surface temperature (LST), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and socioeconomic indicators, including population density and greenhouse gas emissions. Data were drawn from Landsat imagery for the years 1993, 2003, 2014, and 2024. These datasets were analyzed through regression analysis, factor analysis, and weight overlay analysis, leading to the identification of key factors affecting environmental quality: greenness, crowdedness, heat island effect, and greenhouse gas emissions. A risk map was subsequently developed to reflect varying environmental quality across sub-cities. The results of the study indicate a decline in Addis Ababa?��?s environmental quality, with Addis Ketema sub-city