Remote Monitoring of Land Use in Fragmented Urban Green Space Landscapes in Central Tanzania

This research explores how long-term land use and cover changes affect urban ecosystems and local livelihoods. It is focused on the impact of rapid urban expansion on sustainable urban planning. The study has been conducted in Nkonko and Sasilo Wards, Manyoni District, Tanzania, from 1993 to 2023. Remote sensing, GIS, satellite imagery, participatory methods, and field surveys have been used to examine deforestation, urbanization, and ecosystem services, detailing land use and land cover and their impact on local environments and livelihoods. The study has revealed significant urban expansion and increased forest cover, accompanied by a decline in agricultural lands, indicating a shift towards urbanization. The landscape has experienced a 2.88 % rise in forest cover, adding 246.82 km2, and a 9 % increase in urban areas, expanding by 222.76 km2. In contrast, agricultural lands have decreased by 17.17 %, a reduction of 119.72 km2. These changes highlight a transformation in land use patterns, demonstrating a change from traditional agriculture towards urban development and reforestation, reshaping the region’s topography and land use dynamics. The research has demonstrated that urbanization and land fragmentation in the Manyoni District has disturbed the ecosystem and the community’s socioeconomic structure. It highlights the need for coherent urban planning and sustainable land management. It has emphasized advanced remote sensing and GIS skills in planning and conservation strategies.