Study of the urban green space planning using geographic information systems and remote sensing approaches for the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Abstract

With the growth of human population and their demands, constructed environment has replaced the natural environment in a significant way. Urban forestry, Urban Green Spaces (UGS) and natural parks are very important which urban planners and designers are interested in. This study is focused on the sustainable development of green spaces. Therefore Identification and analyzing of existing urban green areas was done through supervised image classification method by using high resolution satellite images. Central place theory and spatial analytical techniques were combined to understand the existing patterns of the green spaces. The green areas were analyzed with the other critical natural and human factors and weighted under existing urban regulations and standards in Sri Lanka and developed a multi criteria model for analyzing the suitability and probability of expansion of existing urban green spaces for sustainable green space planning activities. The results were presented in cartographical maps as well as web based maps which encourage the citizen engagement activities for nature conservation.