Browsing by Author "Abutaleb, K."

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Modeling urban change using cellular automata: the case study of Johannesburg, South Africa
(2013-07) Abutaleb, K.; Taiwo, O. J.; Ahmed, F.; Ngie, A.
Urbanization is one of the most evident human-induced global changes. Despite its economic importance, urban growth has a considerable impact on the surrounding environment. The most hazardous impacts caused by the informal and sometimes poorly planned developments are: the destruction of green spaces, increase in traffic, air pollution, congestion with crowding and lack of significant contribution to national income. Remote sensing provides an excellent source of data, from which updated land use/land cover information and changes can be extracted, analyzed, and simulated efficiently. Recent advances in computer models, GIS and remote sensing tools enable researchers to model and predict urban growth effectively. Cellular automata models have better performance in simulating urban development than conventional mathematical models. Johannesburg is the economic powerhouse of South Africa and it is the most populous metropolitan area. The city has experienced a significant growth in informal settlements. This growth has led to the loss of vast expanses of land, thus reducing the land available for other land uses, and contributing to a series of environmental problems. This paper quantified, mapped, and analyzed, the urban growth of Johannesburg from 1995 to 2010 using Landsat TM & ETM+ data. Cellular automata techniques were implemented for modeling the urban growth of the city of Johannesburg up to 2030. The model predicted future urban changes within and at the periphery of the city. The forecasted urban land cover change would prove useful for future urban planning and management of space in Johannesburg.
Spatial modelling of urban change using satellite remote sensing: a review
(2013-07) Ngie, A.; Abutaleb, K.; Ahmed, F.; Taiwo, O. J. O. J.
Urbanization is one of the most evident human-induced global changes. Population growth is an important factor that contributes to change in any urban system. Although urbanization has been an issue of concern, its rate is of a more serious concern. Despite its economic importance, urban growth has a considerable impact on the surrounding environment. Addressing the various challenges posed by urbanization process requires spatio-temporal analysis of cities and regions. This is because cities are dynamic so also are the processes that are shaping cities globally and locally. Researchers and city planners have assessed urbanization processes through the lens of remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS). Recent advances in RS and GIS tools with varying analysis techniques have enabled researchers to model urban change effectively. Using a critical review approach, this paper contributes to the growing bodies of knowledge by reviewing published studies that made use of satellite RS and GIS in understanding the dynamism of urban areas through change detection and urban modelling.