Spatio-Temporal Evolution of Al-Kut’s Urban Landscape (1990–2020): Exploring Drivers and Implications

Land use and land cover (LULC) changes are important indicators of environmental transformation and urban growth. The region Al-Kut of Iraq has undergone rapid development pressures, although the long-term dynamics of its landscapes are poorly documented. This study fills the gap by investigating the spatio-temporal evolution of LULC in Al-Kut. Measurement of changes and identification of trends that cause change in landscape have been set to a time scale of three decades. Multi-temporal satellite imagery (1990, 2000, 2010, 2020), GIS analysis, and SVM classification were used to map and assess LULC transitions within the study area at this point. Results reveal rapid and continuous expansion of urban areas with significant increase in built-up land at the expense of agricultural fields, grasslands, and barren lands. Agricultural lands showed a considerable loss because of the unregistered urban sprawl and encroachment. Grasslands were progressively converted into built-up and degraded categories. Overall, the study demonstrates the operational capability of remote sensing and GIS in monitoring landscape change, and the necessity for sustainable urban planning, agricultural protections, and land use policy interventions to be put in place in Al-Kut.