Urbanization and Quality of Urban Environment Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques in East Delhi-India

Atiqur Rahman, Yogesh Kumar, Shahab Fazal, Sunil Bhaskaran
DOI: 10.4236/jgis.2011.31005                

Abstract

An explosive increase of urban population, practically in all major cities and towns, has the consequent strain on the existing system manifested in an environmental chaos. The phenomena of accelerated urbanisation is the main culprit, wherein besides bringing higher standard of living, it has also brought problems, as growth of dense and unplanned residential areas, environmental pollution, non-availability of services and amenities, solid waste etc. Remote sensing satellite data is suitable for urban land use mapping to get detail and up- to-date information for environmental management. Where as GIS helps in developing database system for urban information, which supports decision making process. Development of digital database on all aspects of land use and urban planning is the next crucial task for the future in which remote sensing based informa-tion is going to play a major role. In Delhi, rise in population and growth in economic activity has led to en-vironmental degradation. With this view an attempt has been made to study the quality of urban environment in the East district of Delhi, which is experiencing very high urban growth with 98.75% urban population in 2001. For this study Landsat ASTER (MSS) data of year 2001 (15 m Ground resolution), Guide map of the year 1982 and demographic and environmental data has been used. Eight parameters were selected, which affect the urban environmental quality, namely built-up area, open spaces, household density, occupancy ra-tio, population density, accessibility to roads, noise and smell affected area. The study shows that the quality of environment has been degraded when we compare 1982 and 2003 data. Most of the East district was in a better state of environment in 1982, but in 2003 things have been changed and now 50% area is in very good, fair and desirable condition. The public participation and involvement should be encouraged planning and decisions making for the improvement in better urban environmental quality.

Keywords

Urbanization, Urban Environmental Quality, Remote Sensing & GIS, East Delhi-India

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	A. Rahman, M. Netzband, S. Alka and M. Javed, “An assessment of urban environmental issues using remote sensing and GIS techniques an integrated approach: A case study: Delhi, India,” In: A. de Sherbinin, A. Rahman, A. Barbieri, J. C. Fosto and Y. Zhu, Eds., Urban Population-Environment Dynamics in the Developing World: Case Studies an Lessons Learned, International Cooperation in National Research in Demography (CICRED), Paris, 2009, pp. 181-211.
[2]	“Census of India,” New Delhi, 1991. www.censusindia. net
[3]	“Census of India,” New Delhi, 2001, www.censusindia. net
[4]	S. Fazal, “Land Reorganization Study along Major Roads,” Land Use Policy, Vol. 18, No. 2, 2001, pp. 191-199.
[5]	B. Mishra, R. B. Singh and M. Anupama, “Delhi Metropolis: Housing and Quality of Life,” In: R. P. Mishra, Million Cities of India, Vol. 1, 2001, pp. 196-228.
[6]	A. Rahman, “Application of remote sensing and GIS technique for urban environmental management and sustainable development of Delhi, India,” In: M. Netzband, W. L. Stefnow and C L. Reman, Eds., Applied Remote Sensing for Urban Planning, Governance and Sustainability, Springer-Verlag Publishes, Berlin, 2007, pp. 165- 197.
[7]	S. Sengupta and P. Venkatachalam, “Assessment of Social and Physical Environment of a Planned Town with Geographical Information System: A Case of Durgapur, West Bengal, India,” In: B. S. Sokhi and S. M. Rashid, Eds., Remote Sensing of Urban Environment, 1999, pp. 196-203.
[8]	MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forest), “White Paper on Pollution in Delhi with action plan,” Government of India, 1997.
[9]	J. Nichol and M. S. Wong, “Mapping and Modelling of Urban Environment Quality in Hongkong,” 2004.
[10]	ISRO, “Urban Planning Using IRS-1C Data,” Banglore, 2005.
[11]	R. S. Rathi and R. R. Vatsvani, “Digital Mapping of Urban/Sub-Urban Environment of Dehradun Using SPOT Data,” In: B. S. Sokhi and S. M. Rashid, Eds., Remote Sensing of Urban Environment, 1999, pp. 123-136.
[12]	P. V. P. C. Prasad, “Environmental Impact Assessment,” Project Work, HUSA, IIRS, NRSA, 1990.
[13]	J. R. Eastman, “Multi-Criteria Evaluation and GIS,” In: P. A. Langley, M. F. Goodchild, D. J. Maguire and D. W. Rhind, Eds., Geographical Information System, Vol. I, Principals and Technical Issues, 2002.
[14]	K. K. Talukdar and B. Ramesh, “Assessment of Urban Environment Quality Using Large Scale Aerial Photographs-Case Study in Dwarka, Delhi,” In: Proceedings, Indian Society of Remote sensing Silver Jubilee Symposium 1994-95, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun, 1995, pp. 250-57.
[15]	Economic Survey of Delhi, 1999-2000. http://delhiplanning.nic.in/Economic%20Survey/chapter_3.htm
[16]	I. Kimhi, “Urban Environmental Quality,” The Centre for Environmental Policy Studies Series #12, the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies, Jerusalem, 2005. http://www.jiis.org.il
[17]	CSE (Centre for Science and Environment), “A people’s model to clean air: Steering the way, Down to Earth,” New Delhi, Vol. 11, No. 12, 15 November 2002.
[18]	J. E. Hardoy, D. Mitlin and D. Satterthwaite, “Environmental Problems in Third World Cities,” Earthscan Publication, London, 1997.
[19]	B. N. Haack, “Urban Analysis and Planning,” In: Manual of Photographic Interpretation, 2nd Edition, Warren R. Philipson, Editor-in-Chief, ASPRS, 1997.