Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Urban Green Spaces in Dehradun City during 2000-2020

This study assessed the decadal changes in Urban Green Spaces (UGS) of Dehradun city, Uttarakhand, India, using Landsat satellite images for the years 2000, 2010, 2020. The study aimed to classify major land cover classes, map UGS, and assess temporal changes caused by rapid urbanisation. Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 7 ETM+, and Landsat 8 OLI datasets were processed using a hybrid classification approach integrating Maximum Likelihood Classification and Iterative Self Organising (ISO) data clustering techniques. The imagery was classified into agriculture, built-up, forest, scrub, and water classes. Accuracy assessment using 350 field verification points produced an overall classification accuracy of 90.9% with a Kappa coefficient of 0.886. The results showed a rapid increase in built-up area from 14.85% in 2000 to 47.33% in 2020, while agricultural land and scrub areas declined significantly. The study also revealed that institutional campuses and roadside corridors showed noticeable greening trends. The study demonstrates the usefulness of remote sensing and GIS techniques for monitoring urban expansion and sustainable management of UGS. The findings can support future urban planning and ecological conservation strategies.