Urban biophysical quality modelling based on remote sensing data in Semarang, Indonesia

Cities are centres of economic growth with fascinating dynamics, including persistent urbanisation that encroaches adjacent arable lands to build urban physical features and sustain services offered by urban ecosystems. Even though industrial revolution, economic dynamics, and environmental changes affect spatial feasibility for housing, complex urban growth is always followed by the development of environmentally friendly cities. However, with such quality having multiple facets, it is necessary to assess and map liveable areas from a more comprehensive and objective perspective. This study aimed to assess, map and identify the biophysical quality of an urban environment using a straightforward technique that allows rapid assessment for early detection of changes in the quality. It proposed a multi-index approach termed the urban biophysical environmental quality (UBEQ) based on spectral characteristic of remote sensing data for residential areas calculated using various data derived from remote sensing. Statistical analyses were performed to test data reliability and normality. Further, many indices were analysed, then employed as indicators in UBEQ modelling and tested with sensitivity and factor analysis to obtain the best remote sensing index in the study area. Based on PCA Results, it was found that the built-up land index and vegetation index mainly contributed to the UBEQ index. The generated model had 86.5 accuracy. Also, the study area, Semarang City, had varying UBEQ index values, from high to low levels. © 2021, Russian Geographical Society. All rights reserved.