The sustainable development of urban areas is essential for ensuring a high quality of life for current and future generations. It can only be achieved by conserving and protecting the ecosystems within and around cities. Urban ecosystems are critical in maintaining biodiversity, regulating the Earth's climate, supporting healthy soils, preserving water resources, and providing cultural value, which ultimately supports human well-being in countless ways. Thus, it is important to assess the current health condition or health index of urban ecosystems to identify areas that may be at risk and require immediate attention. Predicting Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes can also aid in effective urban planning, environmental management, disaster management, and climate change mitigation, thus contributing to sustainable resource use.
In this regard, my research work focuses on predicting the ecosystem health condition and mapping LULC changes that can be crucial for achieving sustainable urban development. The use of the (Vigour-Organisation-Resilience-Ecosystem Services) VORS model along with the Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier and Cellular Automata- Artificial Neuro Network (CA-ANN) model can provide accurate predictions of ecosystem health condition and LULC changes in urban areas such as Kochi, which can aid policymakers and planners in making informed decisions that promote sustainability. The VORS model offers several advantages over other approaches for evaluating ecosystem health. Its holistic approach considers multiple aspects of ecosystem health, including vigour, organization, resilience, and ecosystem services, providing a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem health, and identifying areas where interventions may be necessary to improve overall health.
By incorporating the results of the research work into urban planning and management strategies, it is possible to ensure the sustainable development of urban areas that not only promote economic growth but also safeguard the environment and promote the well-being of its residents. The study can provide valuable insights into the current health condition of the urban ecosystem in Kochi. This information can be used by policymakers and planners to identify areas where interventions may be necessary to improve the overall health of the ecosystem. The study can help to predict future LULC patterns in Kochi.
This information can be used to develop informed decision-making strategies for sustainable urban development, environmental management, disaster management, and climate change mitigation. By anticipating future LULC patterns, policymakers and planners can make informed decisions about where to invest resources, where to implement conservation measures, and where to focus on urban growth and development. The study can also contribute to the development of sustainable urban development strategies. By combining information on ecosystem health with predictions of LULC change, the study can help to identify areas where development can occur without harming the ecosystem, and where conservation measures are needed to protect important ecosystem services.
Assessing the sustainability of urban mobility is crucial for the development and management of cities, particularly in the context of rapid urbanization in Asian cities. The Sustainable Urban Transport Index (SUTI) developed by UNESCAP provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating the sustainability of urban mobility systems. In the case of Kochi, being a rapidly developing metro city, there is a need to assess the sustainability of urban mobility systems to ensure the efficient movement of people and goods, enhance the livability of the city, and support economic growth.
In order to analyze the sustainability, the Sustainable Urban Transport Index (SUTI) will be experimented; field surveys will be conducted in the areas of west and central Kochi. The data’s for the indicators will be collected through structured and semi-structured interviews with various stakeholders and the general public. Equal weight is given to all ten indicators, and geometric aggregation is used to derive the SUTI score. Linear normalization is done for all the indicators using a 1-100 scale.
In addition to this, the study also aims to analyze the mobility networks of the city of Cochin using remote sensing and GIS technology, involving the mapping of major road networks, water and land metro ways, public and active transport hubs, tourist, cultural landmarks, and trade hotspots. Additionally, the distribution of electric charging stations for both 4-wheelers and 2-wheelers will also be mapped. By analyzing this information, the study aims to develop strategies for sustainable urban transport in Cochin.
Overall, the assessment of the sustainability of urban mobility is an essential tool for achieving sustainable development and ensuring the well-being of citizens in cities. It enables policymakers and stakeholders to make informed decisions and prioritize interventions that enhance the efficiency, safety, affordability, and environmental sustainability of urban mobility systems.
Lasse H. Pettersson Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center (NERSC) Jahnebakken 3 N-5007 Bergen, Norway
lasse.pettersson@nersc.no or nansencentre.india@gmail.com
+47 932 23 563
Nansen Environmental Research
Centere India (NERCI), Kochi
Dr. K. Ajith Joseph
Dr. G. Bindu
ajith_jk@nerci.in, bindupeethu@gmail.com
+91 94471 10832
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