GROUP 2

• Urban land use change refers to the transformation of land from non-urban to urban uses, primarily driven by processes of industrialization and urbanization
• Urban land use change


  • Involves the expansion of built-up areas, altering land cover features and urban spatial structures
  • Relevant issue due to its impact on natural ecosystems and the environment, as well as its implications for urban planning, resource management, and sustainability
• Urban Expansion


  1. Cities are expanding horizontally, encroaching upon rural areas and converting them into urban land

  2. Leads to the loss of agricultural land, forests, and other natural habitats
• Infrastructure Development


  The rapid pace of urbanization necessitates the construction of roads, highways, bridges, and other infrastructure to support the growing population and economic activities
• Population Growth


  1. Urbanization is fueled by population growth, both through natural increase and rural-to-urban migration

  2. Places immense pressure on available land and resources
• Land use change


  Disrupts ecosystems, resulting in habitat fragmentation, loss of biodiversity, and alterations in ecosystem functions
• Urbanization

  Contributes to environmental degradation, including air and water pollution, habitat loss, soil degradation, and increased greenhouse gas emissions
• Urbanization


  Shapes social and economic dynamics, influencing employment opportunities, income inequality, access to services, and cultural changes within communities
• Planning and Governance


  • Effective land use planning and governance are crucial for managing urbanization sustainably
  • Involves balancing the needs of urban development with environmental conservation, social equity, and economic growth
• According to the United Nations, over half of the world's population now resides in urban areas, and this is projected to increase to 68% by 2050
• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that approximately 12 million hectares of agricultural land are lost each year due to land use change, urbanization, and other factors
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that land use change is a primary driver of habitat loss, with urbanization being a significant contributor
• The World Bank estimates that urban areas generate around 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from energy use, transportation, and industrial activities
• Shifts in land use and land cover


  Have direct consequences on microclimatic conditions, influencing the availability of resources critical for the livelihoods of nearby communities
• Land degradation


  Significantly contributes to low and declining agricultural productivity, exacerbating poverty in affected regions
• Migration


  Is perceived as an increasingly complex global phenomenon, with an average of 26.4 million individuals displaced annually worldwide as a result of natural and climate-induced hazards and disasters
• Population Growth


  Leads to higher demand for housing, infrastructure, and services, resulting in land conversion for urban development
• Economic Development


  Urbanization often accompanies economic growth, as cities become centers of commerce, industry, and employment, driving land use changes to accommodate these activities
• Agricultural Practices


  Changes in agricultural practices, such as intensification or expansion of crop lands, can lead to deforestation, conversion of natural habitats, and fragmentation of landscapes
• Policy and Governance


  • Land use policies, zoning regulations, and governance structures influence the patterns and pace of urbanization and land use change
  • Inadequate planning or enforcement can result in unsustainable development and environmental degradation
• Market Forces


  Demand for real estate, speculative investment, and land speculation can drive land use changes, often resulting in unplanned or unsustainable development patterns
• Technological Advancement


  Advances in transportation, communication, and construction technologies can facilitate urbanization and influence land use patterns, such as the development of suburban sprawl or compact urban forms
• Industrialization


  • Due to the industrial revolution many people migrated from rural areas to urban areas for better employment opportunities
  • Industrialization makes it easier for people to get employment opportunities and work in modern sectors which also supports economic development
• Rural-Urban Change


  • Rural areas adopt the urban culture and eventually become urban areas, leading to better employment opportunities, infrastructure, education, and transport in rural areas
  • This leads to increased productivity and economic growth
• Deforestation


  • Involves the widespread clearing of forested areas for non-forest purposes
  • Leads to severe consequences as natural forests play a vital role in sustaining our ecosystem
• Habitat Loss


  • Typically denotes the reduction in the geographical area of natural habitats, encompassing forests, grasslands, deserts, and wetlands
  • Habitat fragmentation specifically refers to the division of habitats, even after accounting for habitat loss
  • These phenomena often happen together and are closely linked, affecting biodiversity and ecological dynamics significantly
• Conversion of forests into agricultural or urban lands


  • Leads to the loss of their capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, worsening the greenhouse effect and adding to the planet's warming
  • Can also disrupt crop production, change where plants grow, and raise the occurrence and intensity of heat-related challenges for both ecosystems and people
• Irrigation of land


  • Alters water usage and distribution, affecting the natural flow of surface water and groundwater
  • Can lead to decreased levels of stream and groundwater, and introduce salts, pesticides, and elevated nutrient levels into water sources
• Changes in land use practices


  Can affect the distribution of soil sulfur fractions and their bioavailability, impacting crop growth differently
• Land-use choices


  Can significantly impact air quality through various mechanisms, including altering physical and meteorological conditions and influencing emission processes and atmospheric composition