Monitoring Effect of Spatial Growth on Land Surface Temperature in Dhaka

Spatial urban growth and its impact on land surface temperature (LST) is a high priority environmental issue for urban policy. Although the impact of horizontal spatial growth of cities on LST is well studied, the impact of the vertical spatial distribution of buildings on LST is under-investigated. This is particularly true for cities in sub-tropical developing countries. In this study, TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement (TanDEM-XDEM), Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection (ASTER)-Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM), and ALOS World 3D-30m (AW3D30) based Digital Surface Model (DSM) data were used to investigate the vertical growth of the Dhaka Metropolitan Area (DMA) in Bangladesh. Thermal Infrared (TIR) data (10.6-11.2µm) of Landsat-8 were used to investigate the seasonal variations in LST. Thereafter, the impact of horizontal and vertical spatial growth on LST was studied. The result showed that: (a) TanDEM-X DSM derived building height had a higher accuracy as compared to other existing DSM that reveals mean building height of the Dhaka city is approximately 10 m, (b) built-up areas were estimated to cover approximately 94%, 88%, and 44% in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), and Fringe areas, respectively, of DMA using a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification method, (c) the built-up showed a strong relationship with LST (Kendall tau coefficient of 0.625 in summer and 0.483 in winter) in comparison to vertical growth (Kendall tau coefficient of 0.156 in the summer and 0.059 in the winter), and (d) the ‘low height-high density’ areas showed high LST in both seasons. This study suggests that vertical development is better than horizontal development for providing enough open spaces, green spaces, and preserving natural features. This study provides city planners with a better understating of sustainable urban planning and can promote the formulation of action plans for appropriate urban development policies

Effects of rapid urbanisation on the urban thermal environment between 1990 and 2011 in Dhaka Megacity, Bangladesh

This study investigates the influence of land-use/land-cover (LULC) change on land surface temperature (LST) in Dhaka Megacity, Bangladesh during a period of rapid urbanisation. LST was derived from Landsat 5 TM scenes captured in 1990, 2000 and 2011 and compared to contemporaneous LULC maps. We compared index-based and linear spectral mixture analysis (LSMA) techniques for modelling LST. LSMA derived biophysical parameters corresponded more strongly to LST than those produced using index-based parameters. Results indicated that vegetation and water surfaces had relatively stable LST but it increased by around 2 °C when these surfaces were converted to built-up areas with extensive impervious surfaces. Knowledge of the expected change in LST when one land-cover is converted to another can inform land planners of the potential impact of future changes and urges the development of better management strategies

Impact of land cover changes on land surface temperature and human thermal comfort in Dhaka City of Bangladesh

Urbanization leads to the construction of various urban infrastructures in the city area for residency, transportation, industry, and other purposes, which causes major land use change. Consequently, it substantially affects Land Surface Temperature (LST) by unbalancing the surface energy budget. Higher LST in city areas decreases human thermal comfort for the city dwellers and affects the urban environment and ecosystem. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation is needed to evaluate the impact of land use change on the LST. Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques were used for the detailed investigation. RS data for the years 1993, 2007 and 2020 during summer (March–May) in Dhaka city were used to prepare land cover maps, analyze LST, generate hazard maps and relate the land cover change with LST by using GIS. The results show that the built-up area in Dhaka city increased by 67% from 1993 to 2020 by replacing lowland mainly, followed by vegetation, bare soil and water bodies. LSTs found in the study area were ranged from 23.26 to 39.94 °C, 23.69 to 43.35 °C and 24.44 to 44.58 °C for the years 1993, 2007 and 2020, respectively. The increases of spatially distributed maximum and mean LST were found 4.62 °C and 6.43 °C, respectively, for the study period of 27 years while the change in minimum LST was not substantial. LST increased by around 0.24 °C per year and human thermal discomfort shifted from moderate to strong heat stress for the total study period due to the increase of built-up and bare lands. This study also shows that normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalized difference water index (NDWI) were negatively correlated with LST while normalized difference built-up Index (NDBI) and normalized difference built-up Index (NDBAI) were positively correlated with LST. The methodology developed in this study can be adapted to other cities around the globe

Quantifying spatiotemporal changes of the urban impervious surface of Dhaka District using Remote sensing Technology

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is one of the world's fastest-growing cities where imperviousness expanding in tandem. Therefore, accurate estimation of impervious surfaces is essential for urban planning and management. This paper attempts to quantify the changes of urban impervious surfaces in Dhaka district from 1990 to 2020 using remote sensing technology. Satellite images of 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 have been taken from the Landsat TM, ETM+, OLI sensor. Unsupervised classification with k-means clustering and three different RS indices NDVI, NDBI, and BUI was used to delineate the actual impervious area of Dhaka city. This study reveals that due to urbanization a net increase of 67.30 sq. miles impervious area is added to the existing amount over the study period. In 2020 total 300.749 sq. miles which contain 51.02% of the total land were occupied by impervious surfaces compared to the 233.446 sq. miles in 1990. Instantaneously taking appropriate strategies is crucial for sustainable urban growth.  

Population dynamics, delta vulnerability and environmental change: comparison of the Mekong, Ganges–Brahmaputra and Amazon delta regions

Tropical delta regions are at risk of multiple threats including relative sea level rise and human alterations, making them more and more vulnerable to extreme floods, storms, surges, salinity intrusion, and other hazards which could also increase in magnitude and frequency with a changing climate. Given the environmental vulnerability of tropical deltas, understanding the interlinkages between population dynamics and environmental change in these regions is crucial for ensuring efficient policy planning and progress toward social and ecological sustainability. Here, we provide an overview of population trends and dynamics in the Ganges–Brahmaputra, Mekong and Amazon deltas. Using multiple data sources, including census data and Demographic and Health Surveys, a discussion regarding the components of population change is undertaken in the context of environmental factors affecting the demographic landscape of the three delta regions. We find that the demographic trends in all cases are broadly reflective of national trends, although important differences exist within and across the study areas. Moreover, all three delta regions have been experiencing shifts in population structures resulting in aging populations, the latter being most rapid in the Mekong delta. The environmental impacts on the different components of population change are important, and more extensive research is required to effectively quantify the underlying relationships. The paper concludes by discussing selected policy implications in the context of sustainable development of delta regions and beyond

Developing a Biophilic City through Natural Land Transformation Analysis and Geodesign: The case of Purbachal New Town, Bangladesh

Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in the world. To solve the ever-increasing need for housing and to reduce the pressure of the population from the capital city, the Purbachal satellite city was planned. It is the biggest planned township in Bangladesh with an area of over 25 square kilometers. Purbachal is situated at the confluence of the Shitalakhya and Balu rivers. Historically a low-lying wetland, Purbachal has gone through a rapid transformation in past decades. The water bodies around the area have been filled in to create new developable land. Through remote sensing and GIS analysis, this study investigates the transformation of wetland areas in Purbachal New Town. The study Investigates whether the new developments in the Purbachal New Town followed a natural topography or it was drastically modified from its natural conditions. The study also investigates how these changes in the inherent topographical nature of the area can influence the future of the city. The goal of the study is to explore the complex interrelation of different factors responsible for the growth of a city. The main aim is to formulate a realistic city planning process to synthesize systems city approach with the concept of Biophilic design to create spaces where people will be able to live in harmony with nature

Spatial and temporal analysis of land cover change, sedimentation and water quality in the Lake Issaqueena watershed, South Carolina

Soil erosion and increased sediment yields within a watershed lead to impaired water quality, decreased availability of wildlife habitat and reduced recreational opportunities. While some sedimentation occurs naturally within a water system, most erosion processes are the result of anthropogenic activities across a landscape, namely changes in land use and land cover (LULC). This study was conducted to determine temporal and spatial sedimentation trends in the Lake Issaquena watershed using sonar logging equipment, geographic information systems (GIS) and limited hydrologic data from the Soil Conservation Service (1941 and 1949). Sediment deposition was analyzed in relation to several key factors that influence erosion and sediment yields; these being dominant land cover, topography and slopes, soils and geology, rainfall and climatological aspects. Significant sedimentation has occurred in the Sixmile Creek delta, located at the northern end of Lake Issaqueena. Sedimentation rates inferred from an analysis of afore mentioned factors show considerable changes in erosion potential that correspond with substantial changes in riparian vegetation, extreme variations in rainfall events, conversion of land from agricultural to forestland and application of management practices. Water quality data, including sampling depth, water temperature, dissolved oxygen content, Fecal coliform levels, inorganic nitrogen concentrations and turbidity, were obtained from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Health and Safety (SCDHEC) for two stations and analyzed for trends as they related to land cover change. Data was available for the Sixmile Creek site for dates ranging from 1962 to 2005 and from 1999 to 2005 for the Lake Issaqueena site. From 1951 to 2009, the watershed experienced an increase of tree cover and bare ground (+17.4% evergreen, +62.3% deciduous, +9.8% bare ground) and a decrease of pasture/ grassland and cultivated (-42.6% pasture/ grassland, -57.1% cultivated). From 2005 to 2009, there was an increase of 21.5% in residential/ other development. Sampling depth ranged from 0.1 meters to 0.3 meters. Water temperature fluctuated corresponding to changing air temperatures, and dissolved oxygen content fluctuated as a factor of water temperature. Inorganic nitrogen content was higher from December to April possibly due to application of fertilizers prior to the growing season. Fecal coliform levels stayed relatively the same, there was however, a slight decrease overall, likely due to the decrease in pasture/ grassland. Turbidity remained relatively the same from 1962 to 2005, but a slight decrease in pH can be observed at both stations. Sedimentation analysis has shown that overall the lake surface area has decreased by 11.333 hectares and lake volume has decreased by 320,800 m3, while catchment area increased by 6.99 hectares. Average annual precipitation rates were shown to have no direct correlation with these bathymetric measurements, and it is hypothesized that changes in land cover, slope and extreme precipitation events are largely responsible for sedimentation in Lake Issaqueena

Impacts of Large-Scale Groundwater Exploitation Based on Long-Term Evolution of Hydraulic Heads in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Dhaka city has emerged as the fastest-growing megacity, having more than 20 million inhabitants, with a growth rate of 3.62%. Unplanned and rapid urbanization, coupled with exponential population growth, has significantly altered the groundwater dynamics in Dhaka city. This study concentrates on the evolution of long-term piezometric heads of the Upper Dupi Tila aquifer (UDA) and the Middle Dupi Tila aquifer (MDA) based on long-term hydrographs, piezometric maps and synthetic graphical overviews of piezometric trends. Due to over-exploitation, the piezometric level (PL) has declined deeper than −85 and −65 m PWD (Public Works Department reference datum) in UDA and MDA, respectively. The highest rate of decline was observed in the south-central to southeastern parts of the city both in UDA (4.0 m/year) and MDA (5.74 m/year). The results clearly show that the rates of decline in PL vary from 2.25 to 5.74 m/year in both aquifers of the city, and urban expansion has greatly affected the shape and extent of the depression cone over the past four decades. The magnitudes of the depression cones in both aquifers seem to pose a considerable threat to groundwater resources, indicating that the current exploitation is not sustainable at all.</jats:p

SPARTAN: a global network to evaluate and enhance satellite-based estimates of ground-level particulate matter for global health applications

Ground-based observations have insufficient spatial coverage to assess long-term human exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at the global scale. Satellite remote sensing offers a promising approach to provide information on both short-and long-term exposure to PM2.5 at local-to-global scales, but there are limitations and outstanding questions about the accuracy and precision with which ground-level aerosol mass concentrations can be inferred from satellite remote sensing alone. A key source of uncertainty is the global distribution of the relationship between annual average PM2.5 and discontinuous satellite observations of columnar aerosol optical depth (AOD). We have initiated a global network of ground-level monitoring stations designed to evaluate and enhance satellite remote sensing estimates for application in health-effects research and risk assessment. This Surface PARTiculate mAtter Network (SPARTAN) includes a global federation of ground-level monitors of hourly PM2.5 situated primarily in highly populated regions and collocated with existing ground-based sun photometers that measure AOD. The instruments, a three-wavelength nephelometer and impaction filter sampler for both PM2.5 and PM10, are highly autonomous. Hourly PM2.5 concentrations are inferred from the combination of weighed filters and nephelometer data. Data from existing networks were used to develop and evaluate network sampling characteristics. SPARTAN filters are analyzed for mass, black carbon, water-soluble ions, and metals. These measurements provide, in a variety of regions around the world, the key data required to evaluate and enhance satellite-based PM2.5 estimates used for assessing the health effects of aerosols. Mean PM2.5 concentrations across sites vary by more than 1 order of magnitude. Our initial measurements indicate that the ratio of AOD to ground-level PM2.5 is driven temporally and spatially by the vertical profile in aerosol scattering. Spatially this ratio is also strongly influenced by the mass scattering efficiency.Fil: Snider, G.. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Weagle, C. L.. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Martin, R. V.. Dalhousie University Halifax; Canadá. University of Cambridge; Reino UnidoFil: van Donkelaar, A.. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Conrad, K.. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Cunningham, D.. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Gordon, C.. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Zwicker, M.. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Akoshile, C.. University of Ilorin; NigeriaFil: Artaxo, P.. Governo Do Estado de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Anh, N. X.. Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. Institute of Geophysics; VietnamFil: Brook, J.. University of Toronto; CanadáFil: Dong, J.. Tsinghua University; ChinaFil: Garland, R. M.. North-West University; SudáfricaFil: Greenwald, R.. Rollins School of Public Health; Estados UnidosFil: Griffith, D.. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research; SudáfricaFil: He, K.. Tsinghua University; ChinaFil: Holben, B. N.. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Estados UnidosFil: Kahn, R.. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Estados UnidosFil: Koren, I.. Weizmann Institute Of Science Israel; IsraelFil: Lagrosas, N.. Manila Observatory, Ateneo de Manila University campus; FilipinasFil: Lestari, P.. Institut Teknologi Bandung; IndonesiaFil: Ma, Z.. Rollins School of Public Health; Estados UnidosFil: Vanderlei Martins, J.. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Quel, Eduardo Jaime. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rudich, Y.. Weizmann Institute Of Science Israel; IsraelFil: Salam, A.. University Of Dhaka; BangladeshFil: Tripathi, S. N.. Indian Institute Of Technology, Kanpur; IndiaFil: Yu, C.. Rollins School of Public Health; Estados UnidosFil: Zhang, Q.. Tsinghua University; ChinaFil: Zhang, Y.. Tsinghua University; ChinaFil: Brauer, M.. University of British Columbia; CanadáFil: Cohen, A.. Health Effects Institute; Estados UnidosFil: Gibson, M. D.. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Liu, Y.. Rollins School of Public Health; Estados Unido

Background information for Rajshahi City, Bangladesh

Land use / Population / Climate / Rain / Water resources / Households / Income / Social aspects / Water quality / Sanitation / Drainage / Waste management / Wastewater / Public health / Bangladesh / Rajshahi City