Urban green space suitability analysis using geospatial techniques: a case study of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Urban green space (UGS) is crucial in providing ecosystem services and optimizing the health of urban residents. This study aimed at identifying suitable sites for UGS development using geospatial techniques in Addis Ababa City. In the present study, an analytical hierarchical process with Geographic Information Systems based multi-criteria evaluation process was used for identifying suitable sites for UGS development. Eight parameters namely land use land cover types, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, population density, soil types, slope, elevation, road and rivers were used. Results show that about 1 km² (0.2%) and 67.4 km² (12.8%) are categorized as highly suitable and moderately suitable sites for UGS, respectively. About 247.2 km² (46.9%) of the area was marginally suitable and 205.2 km²(38.9%) was currently not suitable, while 6.2 km²(1.2%) was permanently not suitable. The evaluation of UGS development support policy makers to identify the importance of open green space for environmental quality and quality of life in urban center.

Keywords:

• Analytical hierarchical process
• geospatial techniques
• multi criteria evaluation
• Addis Ababa City

Consent for publication

The authors agreed to publish this manuscript for publication.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Wollega University Shambu Campus Faculty of Technology and Faculty of Agriculture, Oda Bultum University, Raya University, Wollega University Nekemte campus and Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine for the existing facilities to conduct this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Author contributions

MBM involved in conceptualization, data collection, software, visualization, data analysis and developing original draft of the manuscript. BBO, KTD and MEF participated in methodology, data analysis and manuscript edition. MMG and DOG contributed in conceptualization, validation of results, review and edition of the final manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Availability of data

Available in this manuscript.