A Regional Planning Application of Satellite Image Processing in Pakistan

For most of the city and regional planning applications, the traditional methods for the assessment of land cover/land use are labour-intensive, time consuming and expensive. Their credibility is often questionable especially in developing countries; (such as Pakistan), these data are quite insufficient and inconsistent. Nowadays in various parts of the world, satellite data have been successfully used for the appraisal and identification of different land use/land cover clusters. With the availability of first generation digital imageries like that of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and SPOT XS and PAN, it is possible to delineate precisely the boundaries of various clusters of land-cover and to calculate the areas from these boundaries. Effective assessment methods have been developed which involves sophisticated digital routines as well as visual interpretation. These quantifications are of interest to planners, decision makers and researchers. In this study, the former administrative unit `Karachi Division' is examined for the appraisal of land cover classification through the application of satellite imageries. PCI Geomatica is employed for image processing operations. It is observed without any doubts that satellite imageries are useful complement to conventional methods in urban analysis and development.