Analysis of Population Growth and Urban Development in Lahore-Pakistan using Geospatial Techniques: Suggesting some future Options

Population is the main focus in all studies within the framework of geography because population and basic natural resources are intimately related to each other and with the prospects of urban development and quality of the environment in a region. Therefore, the study and analysis of population growth and distribution in the urban development is the logical starting point for any research of the present nature. Lahore is 2nd largest city of Pakistan in terms of its share in total population of the country. The total population of Lahore was 6,318,745 as per 1998 Census. Systematic monitoring of the urban development, proper management of the City and planned future development would lead to improvement in the living standards and environmental conditions of the millions of people living in the city of Lahore. Remote sensing along with the GIS technology can be used effectively and economically in the analysis and the inventory of urban development and land use and land cover study of the urban settlements. It provides database for the site suitability for further urban development and growth corridors in this fast growing metropolis of the country

Monitoring and Measuring Surface Water in Semi-Arid Environment Using Satellite Data: A Case Study of Karachi

Water is a dynamic and precious resource for all living creatures. Its significance is imperative for different sectors of economy at global and regional level. Sustainable use of land resources such as water is vital to carryout fundamental chores and has become an important area of investigation in developing and developed countries. Pakistan is an under developing country with agro-based economy and it is among the top of those countries which are facing acute water scarcity. World Bank has projected that by 2025 severe food shortage could be caused in Pakistan due to water scarcity.Karachi is the most populous city of Pakistan with high consumption of water and food but semi arid climate conditions and drastic variability in rainfall pattern make it prone to desertification and drought. In Karachi Hydrological drought is closely associated with agricultural drought. Hence, monitoring, quantification and mapping of water is vital for better planning.This Study is aimed at monitoring spatio-temporal variation of surface water in Karachi using Geoinformatic techniques. For this purpose four satellite images of Landsat -7 ETM + were used. Through NDWI spatial distribution of water and its seasonal variation was observed and maps of water availability in each Union council of Karachi using software ArcMap 10.1 were also developed for the quick and better interpration. Use of modern state of the art Remote sensing data coupled with GIS for the monitoring of land resources has proved very significant for evaluating the potential of resources in different administrative units for planning and decision making

Monitoring and Measuring Surface Water in Semi-Arid Environment Using Satellite Data: A Case Study of Karachi

Water is a dynamic and precious resource for all living creatures. Its significance is imperative for different sectors of economy at global and regional level. Sustainable use of land resources such as water is vital to carryout fundamental chores and has become an important area of investigation in developing and developed countries. Pakistan is an under developing country with agro-based economy and it is among the top of those countries which are facing acute water scarcity. World Bank has projected that by 2025 severe food shortage could be caused in Pakistan due to water scarcity.Karachi is the most populous city of Pakistan with high consumption of water and food but semi arid climate conditions and drastic variability in rainfall pattern make it prone to desertification and drought. In Karachi Hydrological drought is closely associated with agricultural drought. Hence, monitoring, quantification and mapping of water is vital for better planning.This Study is aimed at monitoring spatio-temporal variation of surface water in Karachi using Geoinformatic techniques. For this purpose four satellite images of Landsat -7 ETM + were used. Through NDWI spatial distribution of water and its seasonal variation was observed and maps of water availability in each Union council of Karachi using software ArcMap 10.1 were also developed for the quick and better interpration. Use of modern state of the art Remote sensing data coupled with GIS for the monitoring of land resources has proved very significant for evaluating the potential of resources in different administrative units for planning and decision making

A Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Green Turtle Habitat at Hawkes Bay, Karachi through Geo-Informatics Techniques

Hawkes Bay site is one of the major favorable nesting sites for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Pakistan. Many environmental factors influence the nesting patterns of green turtles at this beach. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the importance of monitoring habitat of wildlife with the help of GIS and remote sensing. Seasonal influence on nesting pit density is quite noticeable on high resolution imageries. Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis was used to highlight the strong relation of temperature and nesting pits. As a result of this research monitoring of spatio-temporal variation and impacts of temperature rise on nesting grounds observed

Spatial Appraisal of the Impacts of Drought on Agricultural Patterns in Karachi

This paper is aimed at studying the spatial changes in agricultural patterns practiced in the suburbs of Karachi, which is the most densely populated city of Pakistan with high food demands of the inhabitants. This study deals mainly with Physical factors primarily climatic indicators to observe and analyze the changes in the pattern of agricultural production and the types of crops in last 20-30 years. Variability of climate when coupled with anthropogenic factors play important role in the acceleration of problems for farmers. Trends of associated agricultural output observed in different years of high and low rainfall. This study has successfully demonstrated inquisitive approach by using published secondary data from governmental sources and ground verification in recent times. Temporal variation in biomass, was found dependent upon pattern of rainfall and temperature etc. Study reveals that there are clear signs of desertification and drought in the study area

Spatial Appraisal of the Impacts of Drought on Agricultural Patterns in Karachi

This paper is aimed at studying the spatial changes in agricultural patterns practiced in the suburbs of Karachi, which is the most densely populated city of Pakistan with high food demands of the inhabitants. This study deals mainly with Physical factors primarily climatic indicators to observe and analyze the changes in the pattern of agricultural production and the types of crops in last 20-30 years. Variability of climate when coupled with anthropogenic factors play important role in the acceleration of problems for farmers. Trends of associated agricultural output observed in different years of high and low rainfall. This study has successfully demonstrated inquisitive approach by using published secondary data from governmental sources and ground verification in recent times. Temporal variation in biomass, was found dependent upon pattern of rainfall and temperature etc. Study reveals that there are clear signs of desertification and drought in the study area

A Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Green Turtle Habitat at Hawkes Bay, Karachi through Geo-Informatics Techniques

Hawkes Bay site is one of the major favorable nesting sites for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Pakistan. Many environmental factors influence the nesting patterns of green turtles at this beach. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the importance of monitoring habitat of wildlife with the help of GIS and remote sensing. Seasonal influence on nesting pit density is quite noticeable on high resolution imageries. Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis was used to highlight the strong relation of temperature and nesting pits. As a result of this research monitoring of spatio-temporal variation and impacts of temperature rise on nesting grounds observed

Evaluation of Prevalence Patterns of Dengue Fever in Lahore District through Geo-Spatial Techniques

Dengue and its impacts are growing environmental, economic and health concerns in Lahore. Disease pattern is important to know for better control and effective management, GIS is one of the tested tools and quite efficient for this purpose. In this study, firstly month-wise dengue cases mapping for seven consecutive years (2007-2013) is performed in order to reveal temporal or seasonal pattern of dengue disease in Lahore district. Then a composite analysis was conducted using Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) technique in order to show dengue most affected locations (towns) and in this analysis, all cases of the study period (2007-2013) were appended and visualized by IDW. Temporally, September (6548 cases) was the most dengue affected month of all years whereas February (4 cases) was marked as least affected throughout the dengue incidence period. Endemic Foci is noticed in 2011 most affected months. This cluster of disease is agglomerated near Ravi River and Densely Populated Towns, which further aggravated the incidence of dengue in economically deprived areas. Data Gunj Baksh town was the most affected town and IDW results showed that this town is composite endemic foci where cases were agglomerated most frequently. The reason of prevalence in this town would possibly be due to its more density of population and proximity of Ravi River

Demarcation of Right of Way (ROW) and Re-Installation of Damaged Markers of Transmission Pipeline in Balochistan, Pakistan through Geomatics Technologies: A Case Study of Zarghun to Quetta High Pressure Natural Gas Supply

The alignment of gas pipelines in a rugged terrain has always been a serious challenge around the globe but they can be perfectly aligned with the help of Geo-Spatial technologies. When South Zarghun gas fields were discovered in Pakistan, gas transmission pipeline laying process between gas fields and Quetta city was as challenging task for the Government of Pakistan. Very rough terrain and extreme weather conditions especially in winter season were the two major constraints for the alignment of pipeline. Geomatics survey was essential before transmission pipeline construction work, done twice by private consultant in Pakistan’s local geographic coordinate system. SSGC took decision in 2006 for the construction of pipeline but unfortunately it could not be executed due to law & order situation in Pakistan especially in Balochistan province and later all bench marks of pipeline alignment route were vanished by the locals. In 2012, SSGC again started pipeline construction work on war steps. Previous pipeline alignment survey was converted into existing SSGC’s GIS coordinate system i.e. UTM Zone 42 WGS84 using ESRI ArcGIS software. Identification & re-installation of all bench marks and re-routing of pipeline were done by SSGC GIS survey team with the help of global positioning system (GPS) and satellite data. Finally, right of way (ROW) of transmission pipeline from Zarghun gas fields to Quetta city was designed and produced in the form of GIS map for pipeline construction activities