Spatial Analysis of the Impact of Urban Expansion on the Urban Environment in Tikrit
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Abstract
Urban sprawl is one of the most prominent contemporary geographical phenomena witnessed in medium-sized cities in Iraq, particularly Tikrit. This expansion is linked to a complex interplay of demographic, economic, planning, and environmental factors, resulting in rapid spatial transformations in urban structure and land use patterns. Therefore, this research aims to evaluate and analyze the spatial trends of urban sprawl in Tikrit and reveal its direct and indirect impacts on the components of the urban environment.
The study employed a descriptive-analytical and spatial approach, relying on Landsat 8 satellite imagery to extract spatial environmental indicators, namely ground surface temperature (LST) and vegetation cover index (NDVI), and correlate them with urban sprawl trends and land use patterns. Thematic maps were also produced to diagnose the spatial variation of environmental impacts within the urban area.
The study revealed a clear spatial variation in environmental impacts, characterized by higher surface temperatures and the formation of urban heat islands in densely populated urban areas and newly developed expansion zones, compared to a relative decrease in areas adjacent to the Tigris River. The results also showed a significant decline in vegetation cover and agricultural land, increased pressure on infrastructure and urban services, and a deterioration in air and water quality. The study concluded that sustainable urban planning policies based on spatial analysis are necessary to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of future urban expansion.
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