CLIMATE CHANGE DETECTION BASED ON URBAN MORPHOLOGY USING GEOSPATIAL TECHNIQUES FOR COASTAL MEGACITIES

Abstract

Cities have always been central to economic and urban growth, acting as both engines and fuel for innovation and national progress. The economic success and significance of most global cities stem from their enduring commercial connections with the world. Many of these cities are situated along coastlines, enabling trade and fostering their affluence. Additionally, they are often found in low-lying regions near major river mouths, which historically functioned as trade routes linking inland agricultural and industrial areas to international markets. These are Coastal Megacities presenting a doorway to connect different parts of the world. Recent global warming has intensified coastal disturbances by driving significant heat exchange between the land and ocean surfaces. The polar regions are experiencing extreme temperature fluctuations, leading to substantial ice sheet melting. Mid-latitude storms transport heat from the equator toward the poles, contributing to global sea level rise and increasing the vulnerability of coastal cities. Over the past few decades, rapid urbanisation in these coastal megacities has significantly altered land cover and land use, resulting in rising land surface temperature (LST). This, in turn, exacerbates urban flooding, as oceanic storm surges - often triggered by lowpressure systems over the ocean during summer - become more frequent. The geographic locations of these cities make them particularly vulnerable to both current and future climate hazards, including cyclones, strong winds, flooding, coastal erosion and deposition, and rising sea levels. These cities also serve as major hubs of population concentration and growth for being geographically accessible. Given that many of these megacities are situated near coastlines and continue to expand, assessing their vulnerability to coastal climate hazards remains crucial. This research work is an attempt to map and model these vulnerabilities from a perspective of urban morphological structure in coastal megacities. Urban morphology plays a critical role in how cities experience and mitigate the effects of climate change, particularly in coastal megacities. Geospatial techniques, including remote sensing and GIS methods offer precise, spatially resolved data that can guide effective urban planning and climate resilience strategies. As rapid urbanisation and land cover changes continue to reshape these environments, a deeper understanding of their impacts on local and regional climates is necessary. As coastal areas face disproportionate climate-related challenges, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to enhance their resilience and ensure sustainable urban development.