Green Spaces Trends in the City of Port Elizabeth from 1990 to 2000 using Remote Sensing

Abstract

<p>Given the critical role played by urban green spaces and the emergence of remote sensing as a<br />valuable natural resource management tool, this study sought to identify trends in green spaces within the<br />context of South Africa's transition period (1990 - 2000). Using the city of Port Elizabeth as a case study, three<br />sets of Landsat - 5 Thematic Mapper images (1990, 1995 and 2000) were geo-processed, classified into<br />vegetation density categories and verified using respective aerial photographs. There was a steady decline in<br />areas covered by Very sparse vegetation, Sparse vegetation and Dense vegetation classes. However, areas<br />covered by Very dense vegetation showed a steady increase during the study period. Using remote sensing<br />applications, this study provides an insight into trends in green spaces in the city of Port Elizabeth during the<br />transition period. This study further shows the importance of remote sensing as a mapping tool that can be<br />used to provide information for physical, social and ecological planning to achieve urban socio-ecological<br />sustainability in rapidly changing urban environments.</p>