Heatwave vulnerability assessment framework and determining the ecological evaluation of land use/land cover in urban and non-urban areas of Karachi, Pakistan | |
| Author | Afzal, Muhammad Tayyab |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.RS-25-03 |
| Subject(s) | Land use--Pakistan--Karachi Urban heat island--Pakistan--Karachi Geographic information systems--Pakistan--Karachi |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Due to global climate change, heatwaves have bocome more frequent and intense, significantly impacting human bealth. Karachi has experienced alarming heatwaves and ranks among the world's top cities for the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon during summer, These heatwaves have led to pronounced morbidity and mortality in the Karachi population. This research aims to identify which areas in Karachi are most vulnerable to heatwaves. It incorporates data on reported Heat stroke cases and deaths from 2015 (acquired from Edhi Foundation, Pakistan), including their geographic locations and attributes. Analysis of heatwave occurrences and land use/land cover (LULC) changes between 2000 and 2022 reveals that areas with higher urban development face a greater risk. Using a vulnerability matrix based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), combining exposure and susceptibility indicators, the study identifies specific urban and peri-urban zones at the highest risk. This research represents Karachi's first cohort longitudinal study to cvaluate heat stroke vulnerability, integrating geospatial and social data as a model for surveillance and assessment. The study finds that core urban areas in Karachi are vulnerable to the heat waveimpacts while suburban regions face moderate risk. High Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI) values support this assessment. To address this, the research recommends incorporating at least 5% greenery in all ongoing and future building projects to support United Nations (SDG11 goals) and promote a heal thier environment. Priority for heatwave mitigation strategies should go to the most vulnerable areas identi fied. The Karachi Development Authority (KDA) should use these findings for planning and policy, including zoning practices,to enhance the environmental quality |
| Year | 2025 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Department of Information and Communications Technologies (DICT) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (RS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Tripathi, Nitin Kumar;Sarawut Ninsawat (Co-chairperson); |
| Examination Committee(s) | Pal, Indrajit;Zulfiqar, Farhad; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Japan; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2025 |