Urban Growth Influence on Green Spaces Using NDVI And NDBI Analysis: Erbil City District as a Case Study

Urban development is the result of population migration to the city. Therefore, sustainable development guidelines and strategic city planning are crucial for city expansion to avoid air pollution, PM value, and improve public health. Exploring the influence of rapid urbanization on Erbil city’s green area. This study explores the effects of PM and air pollution reduction on public health. Physical changes in the city can be directed from 2000 to 2024 across the entire year, including all seasons, by using GIS (Geographic Information System) techniques. The city growth assessment using NDVI and NDBI index was provided with a statistical analysis. The result shows that both indices are not growing in harmony, resulting in multiple threads, including fragmented green spaces, street canyon impact on ventilation, urban island heat, and the vegetation condition as diseased plants, all of which increase air pollution and PM, causing public health. The results suggest that the government should include a green wedge in Erbil's master plan to create connectivity between green spaces and improve airflow. The evidence suggests that the amount, connectivity, and seasonal characteristics of green areas are crucial factors in shaping urban structure. These green space elements are likely to decrease air pollution, resulting in a significant improvement in public health. It concludes with the key techniques for developing tangible, practical solutions for the successful deployment of the green wedge.