Using Remote Sensing to Address Green Heritage of the City of Marrakech, Morocco

Abstract

Climate change and rapid urbanization have significant impact on green spaces and natural resources in African countries. To investigate this impact in the city of Marrakech, this study develops remote-sensing data to monitor changes in land cover and land use from 1990 to 2020. Results show almost 35% diminution of vegetation cover over the investigation period. In 1990, the city of Marrakech had a vegetation cover of 4.2 km2, which fell to 2.7 km2 in 2020. The main change occurred between 1990 and 2000 with a decrease of 13.7%, which is essentially due to the increase in build-up areas, related to the rapid growth of the city’s population. This evolution in land cover affects the urban environment negatively including air quality and temperature regulation. This research provides a better understanding of changing trends, confirms the importance of using satellite imagery to monitor vegetation cover in urban settings, helps determine efficient environmental management, and affects successful green infrastructure policy and planning, thereby allowing for improved adaptation and mitigation to climate change.