Suitability Analysis For Urban Green Space Development Using Geospatial Technology: A Case Of Adama Town, Ethiopia

Abstract

Urban Green Space (UGS) Plays A Vital Role In The Mitigation Of Negative Impacts Of Urbanization; However, It Is Often Affected By The Process Of Land Use And Land Cover (LULC) Changes In An Urban Area. Urban Green Spaces Are An Important Component Of The Urban Ecosystem That Provide Many Environmental, Socio-Cultural And Economic Services That Contribute To The Quality Of Life In Urban Areas. One Of The Major Impacts Of Urbanization Is A Shrinking Of Urban Green Spaces, Through The Development Of Infrastructures And Various Development Projects. LULC Change Particularly In Urban Areas Is Becoming The Major Factor In Reducing Green Spaces Extent. In The Planning, Management And Development Of Urban Areas, Attention To The Appropriate Selection Of Urban Green Spaces With Regard To The Importance That These Spaces Have From The Perspectives Of Environmental, Socio-Cultural And Economic Aspects Is An Essential Requirement. Nowadays, Land Suitability Analysis Methods And Geospatial Technologies Have Been Used To Support Urban Green Space Planning In Developed Countries; However, Its Application And Practices Are Limited In Developing Countries, Like Ethiopia. Therefore, This Study Aimed At Identifying Suitable Sites For Urban Green Space Development In Adama Town Using Geospatial Technology That Assists An Effective Planning Process Of Green Areas In A Sustainable Way. The Extent Of LULC Change With Respect To Urban Green Space From 1991 To 2021 Was Assessed Using Geospatial Technology. The Suitability Analysis Was Done By Adopting GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) Using The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) To Select Suitable Sites For Urban Green Spaces. Several Spatial And Non-Spatial Datasets I.E., LULC, Population Density, Transportation, Stream, Noise Influence, Residential Area, Facility Locations, Slope, And Soil Type Were Recognized As The Key Factors Affecting Urban Green Space Suitability. Based On GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) 6.39%, 25.41%, And 36.42% Of The Study Area Has Been Identified As Highly Suitable, Moderately Suitable, And Less Suitable For Green Space Development Respectively. The Remaining 26.07% And 5.71% Of The Study Area Has Been Identified As Unsuitable And Permanently Unsuitable For Green Space Development Respectively. Finally, Geospatial Technologies And Application Of GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) Has Provided An Effective Methodology To Solve A Complex Decision Problem In Urban Green Spaces Site Selection Process.