Resource information
This study sought to determine a 22-year past and future land use and land cover trend and its implication on green spaces in an eThekwini Municipal Area’s peripheral settlement. Results show a consistent pattern of decline in land use and land cover types associated with green spaces and an increase in impervious surfaces. The study is taken to confirm recent urban bio-physical transformation and anticipated increased pressure on peripheral urban green spaces in eThekwini Municipality. These changes can be attributed to natural urban growth and government led efforts like the Reconstruction and Development Programme. Findings in the study highlight the challenges faced by eThekwini Municipality, and indeed other South Africa’s urban areas in maintaining urban green spaces and mitigating related implications like those associated with climate change. This study is taken to further demonstrate the value of multi-temporal remotely sensed datasets in planning, optimization and sustainable management of urban landscapes.