Utilizing Geospatial Techniques for Change Detection of the Baghdad Campus landscape From 1988 to 2022

Abstract

Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques offer significant potential as a quantitative approach for monitoring urban growth and environmental changes on landscape. This study assesses urban growth and drought monitoring in University of Baghdad campus from 1988 to 2022 by using Land Use/Land Cover (LU/LC) and spectral indices: Normalized Difference built up Index (NDBI) to detect and map built-up areas or urban developments and Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDBI) used to detect areas experiencing water stress. The (LU/LC) and NDMI values were classified into five categories: High Vegetation, Built -up Area, Low Vegetation, Moist Soil and Barren Soil. Built -up Area of (LU/LC) recorded 6.578 km2 (19%) in 1988 which increased to 9.009 km2 (26%) in 2022 representing a 36% increase in the percentage, whereas Built -up Area of (NDBI) recorded 7.617 Km2 (22 %) in 1988 and decreased to 5.887 Km2 (17 %) in 2022 representing a 22% reduces in the percentage of built-up area relative to the total area. NDBI estimated values were (- 0.14 -0.58) and (- 0.4 - 0.01) for 1988, 2022 respectively. The estimated NDMI values were classified into five categories: Very low Moisture, low Moisture, Medium Moisture, High Moisture and Very High Moisture. NDMI values recorded (- 0.29 -0.29) and (- 0.06 - 0.25) for 1988, 2022 respectively. The study emphasized the importance of using remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) techniques in landscape design and management towards implementation of effective strategies for enhancing environmental sustainability.