Earth Observations in Social Science Research for Management of Natural Resources and the Environment: Identifying the Contribution of the U.S. Land Remote Sensing (Landsat) Program

This paper surveys and describes the peer-reviewed social science literature in which data from the U.S. land remote sensing program, Landsat, inform public policy in managing natural resources and the environment. The Landsat program has provided the longest collection of observations of Earth from the vantage point of space. The paper differentiates two classes of research: methodology exploring how to use the data (for example, designing and testing algorithms or verifying the accuracy of the data) and applications of data to decisionmaking or policy implementation in managing land, air quality, water, and other natural and environmental resources. Selection of the studies uses social science-oriented bibliographic search indices and expands results of previous surveys that target only researchers specializing in remote sensing or photogrammetry. The usefulness of Landsat as a basis for informing public investment in the Landsat program will be underestimated if this body of research goes unrecognized.natural resources policy, environmental policy, Landsat, social science, environmental management

Modeling and Forecasting Urban Sprawl in Sylhet Sadar Using Remote Sensing Data

Forecasting urban sprawl is important for land-use and transport planning. The aim of this study is to model and predict the future urban sprawl in Sylhet Sadar using remote sensing data. The ordinary least square (OLS) regression model and the geographic information system (GIS) are used for modeling urban expansion. The model is calibrated for the years 2014 to 2017 using eight explanatory variables extracted from the regression model. The regression coefficients of the variables are found statistically significant at a 99% confidence level. The cellular automata (CA) model is then used to analyze, model, and simulate the land-use and land-cover (LULC) changes by incorporating the algorithm of logistic regression (LR). The calibrated model is used to predict the 2020 map, and the result shows that the predicted map and the actual map of 2020 are well agreed. By using the calibrated model, the simulated prediction map of 2035 shows an urban cell expansion of 220% between 2020 and 2035

The Effect of Transport Infrastructure on Land-use Change: The Case of Toll Road and High-Speed Railway Development in West Java

The development of the Cipularang Toll Road and the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway (HSR) in West Java Province in Indonesia is expected to boost economic growth and provide equitable development, especially from Jakarta to the regencies and cities in West Java. Such large-scale infrastructure developments cause massive changes in land use in the surrounding areas. These impacts are often not anticipated in spatial planning. This study aimed to identify the effect of transport infrastructure development on land-use change in West Java by using cellular automata. It was found that transport infrastructure development has significant impact on the structure and spatial patterns that lead to the formation of a mega-urban region connecting the Jakarta Metropolitan Area and the Greater Bandung Metropolitan Area

The Effect of Transport Infrastructure on Land-use Change: The Case of Toll Road and High-Speed Railway Development in West Java

The development of the Cipularang Toll Road and the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway (HSR) in West Java Province in Indonesia is expected to boost economic growth and provide equitable development, especially from Jakarta to the regencies and cities in West Java. Such large-scale infrastructure developments cause massive changes in land use in the surrounding areas. These impacts are often not anticipated in spatial planning. This study aimed to identify the effect of transport infrastructure development on land-use change in West Java by using cellular automata. It was found that transport infrastructure development has significant impact on the structure and spatial patterns that lead to the formation of a mega-urban region connecting the Jakarta Metropolitan Area and the Greater Bandung Metropolitan Area

Digital Urban Administration Model for a Traditional City (Case Study of Ibadan, Nigeria)

Urban administration has been a challenge in the developing economy especially in historical traditional settlements. Growth of these cities often outstrips the capacities of urban managers to administer urban systems coupled with the fact that developments in the older parts and new areas require different strategies. Therefore it is often recommended that digital technologies be adopted to enhance administration of old and new areas in urban settings. The chapter evaluated the challenges of urban administration in Ibadan city, Nigeria from colonial period to recent urban planning systems. It advanced a model of municipal administration in a digital platform for efficient management of Ibadan city. The model is also applicable to any similar cities in the developing economy. The model recommended a replacement paper and maps approach administration to digital approach. The chapter highlighted the deficiency of the current paper and map approach and advanced efficient approach through digital technologies

Modeling urban expansion in Zahedan’s dry climate: insights from the SLEUTH model

IntroductionRapid uncontrolled growth of build-up areas has increasingly challenged the sustainable use of urban area simulating the growth patterns of fastest-growing cities is more necessary in dry climates, due to low ecological suitability for urban development and meeting the needs of citizens. Therefore, this research conducted aiming at predicting the expansion of urban land use in Zahedan City, Iran, which has a dry climate with an evenness landscape.MethodsUrban Expansion in Zahedan Modeled using SLEUTH (slope, land use, exclusion, urban extent, transportation and hillshade) in two historical and environmental scenarios until 2050. The input data were extracted from processing on DEM and remote sensing data and the SLEUTH model was calibrated in four stages from 1990 to 2020.Results and discussionThe results showed that the increase in Ahead extent in 2050 is more than twice as much as in 2020, and this increase was associated with a less dispersion of urban patches in the environmental scenario compared to the historical scenario. Also, the results clarified that the developable spaces are saturated in terms of slope in the east and there is the lack of urban green spaces. These results reveal the need for the attention of city managers in predicting the urban green space in the expected growth areas and compensating for the lack of vegetation cover in the former urban areas. Geographic extension of predicted urban land can be used in future environmental planning and urban developing strategies, as well as it is suggested to adopt this approach as a plan for urban planning in dry climates

Planning for growth: an analysis of city and regional land use change models for eastern North Carolina

In Eastern North Carolina, increasing development rates have created several challenges for cities, towns and counties including increased housing prices, loss of wildlife habitat, water pollution, increased demand for infrastructure, and a change in community character (SERPPAS 2009). Rapid urbanization also causes problems for military installations that are threatening military training activities of the Army. Also it alters future development patterns around military installations, and presents challenges to the sustainability of defense and natural and economic resources (Westervelt 2006). Additionally, fast changing land use patterns are creating challenges for urban and regional planning authorities in both forecasting and managing new development, transportation, utility infrastructure issues, and economic forecasting and assessment (Westervelt 2006). It is important for the sustainability of this region to work collaboratively with planners, policy makers, stakeholders and citizens to protect natural resources, balance the health and safety of communities, and promote economic development and military readiness (Deal and Schunk 2004; SERPPAS 2009). A land use change model is a tool that can effectively address these concerns. Several meta-studies have been published that evaluate land-use change models (Agarwal 2002, EPA 2000; Berling-Wolff & Wu 2004). However, gaps are evident in the literature with regards to studies that specifically focus on city and regional level modeling needs for Eastern North Carolina. This report attempts to close the gaps and provides a study that takes a critical look at the most widely used land-use change models, assesses their capabilities, and makes recommendations regarding models that would be best used to address Eastern North Carolina concerns related to sensitive lands surrounding military bases for Craven, New Bern and Onslow Counties.Master of City and Regional Plannin

Land Use Dynamics and Implications for Water Management in the Urbanizing Wasatch Range Metropolitan Area of Utah

Utah is one of the fastest growing states in the USA. Utah’s Wasatch Range Metropolitan Area (WRMA), where 80% of Utah’s population resides, is growing at unprecedented rates and has seen extensive urban landscape transformation in the last half century. Many of Utah’s agricultural lands, grasslands, and wetlands have been transformed into urban areas during this time. Local residents have watched and experienced these changes to their local environment, but without a clear understanding of the processes and impacts of urbanization. It is not until we study these landscapes from a spatial perspective and the time scale of decades that we can begin to measure the changes that have occurred and predict the impact of changes to come if current trajectories continue. In this dissertation research I worked with my research colleagues to provide a comprehensive analysis of the WRMA’s past land use changes and future land use trends. In doing so, we: (1) measured the rate, the magnitude, and the process of past urban growth; (2) compared the changes of irrigated agricultural lands and non-irrigated agricultural lands in relation to urban development; and, (3) predicted how future urban growth could occur under various policy scenarios. We found that several counties at the heart of the WRMA have reached the limits of their capacity for future urban expansion. Thus, increasing urban density and land use efficiency will be key aspects of addressing the WRMA’s future growth. Also, variations of growth trends exist among and within the ten counties located in the WRMA, so it is necessary to develop contextualized and localized growth management plans. Furthermore, past land use dynamics prove that irrigated agricultural lands are more affected by urbanization than non-irrigated agricultural lands, with evidence of increasing agricultural lands fragmentation. Agricultural lands have been and will likely continue to be the major land source for future urban development. Utah’s public has indicated it wants to preserve agricultural lands to maintain open space and preserve cultural heritage, but this will require political attention and actions focused on areas where these lands are particularly vulnerable in the face of urban growth trajectories. The overall dissertation provides quantitative measurement of Utah’s urban landscape transformation and a science-based foundation for crafting successful land use policies to help guide future growth of the WRMA