Satellite Image Based Characterization for Monitoring Urbanization and Land Cover Change

Abstract

Land surface processes have become a great concern in the context of global change and increased natural hazards all over the world. In this paper, dynamic characteristics of land cover changes have been investigated over a period of about three and half decades (1972-2016). This study focuses on the temporally evolving geo-environmental characteristics of Dhaka (Capital City) in Bangladesh. The analysis has been performed in a platform of Geographical Information System (GIS) configured with Remote Sensing (RS) system and ground-based RS measurement facilities. Radiometric analyses of multi-sensor time series satellite data followed by a process of spectral characterization have been performed. Special focus has been made on biophysical properties of surface features, geo-environmental configuration, land physiography, properties of vegetation and co-existing surface features. Earth Resources Data Analysis System (ERDAS) Imagine Image Processing Software and ArcGIS software have been utilized. It appears that both energy and water regimes have been affected particularly across the outer end of the side encroaching the city. In general, the outer side of the city consists of low land areas that is used to drain out water and to hold runoff water from the city. Feature-based analysis of satellite-derived radiative signal demonstrates dependencies on biophysical characteristics of surface features in response to human intervention under demographic pressure. Important class categories, particularly, built-up areas, crop land, water bodies have been studied to figure out the zones experiencing unplanned human interventions due to recent urban growth. This generalized pattern of urban growth appears to be a useful finding for urban planning and policy for the government of Bangladesh. Finally, it is evident that integration of space-based RS technology with GIS provide better platform to perform such activities.