The Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Urban Green Spaces in Gweru City, Zimbabwe

Produce Mukwenyi & Adrod Sachingoma
Department of Sciences and Technology, Mkoba Teachers College, Gweru, Zimbabwe
Email: pmukwenyi@gmail.com

Abstract: The recognition of urban green spaces (UGS) is critical for sustainable strategies globally. UGS serve a critical function that spans the socioeconomic, environmental, and climatic divides, but their survival is jeopardised by the insatiable resource needs associated with perceived growth in developing nations. We used an explanatory sequential approach to conduct a situational analysis of Gweru City, Zimbabwe, to understand the spatio-temporal dynamics of UGS. Five Landsat pictures from 2000 to 2019 were utilised. At a five-year interval, four land use/land cover (LULC) clusters were identified using maximum likelihood classification: water bodies, green spaces, bare ground, and built-up areas. This was confirmed using real-world data with very high metrics (OA: 94%-97%; Kappa: 0.91-0.96). In addition to the use of satellite images, interviews with residents were used to supplement the data collected through the analysis of satellite images. Accordingly, the findings revealed that UGS in Gweru municipality has decreased by 5% during the last two decades (2000-2019). These findings were supported by locals who acknowledged that UGS were deteriorating in the suburbs, particularly in high-density areas. The terrible circumstances, according to the interviews, were caused by human activities, administrative deficiencies, natural disasters, and geology. As a result, current urban management approaches must support UGS, particularly in cities throughout the globe. Comprehending these variables is crucial for well-informed decision-making and efficient urban design and development.