Mapping Land Use Change to Analyze Urbanization and its Impact on Urban Floods in Tebessa City, Algeria.

Abstract

Rapid urbanization poses significant challenges for cities worldwide, particularly in managing natural hazards such as floods. In Tebessa, Algeria, accelerated and unplanned urban expansion over recent decades has markedly increased the city’s exposure to flood risks, making it the national leader in the number of buildings located within flood-prone zones. However, the direct link between urban growth and flood vulnerability in Tebessa remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by examining the impact of urbanization-driven land use changes on flood risk over a 33-year period (1990–2023). Employing multi-temporal Landsat satellite imagery and the Land Use Change Detection Tool, the study maps urban expansion and assesses its spatial and temporal relationship with flood-prone areas. Post-classification comparison of images from 1990, 2001, 2012, and 2023 reveals a 47% increase in urban areas and a 39.39% rise in flood-affected zones, accompanied by a 42.06% reduction in bare land. These results indicate that rapid urbanization, often at the expense of natural drainage areas, is a primary factor in the intensification of urban flooding. The study highlights the effectiveness of remote sensing and GIS technologies in analyzing urban dynamics and provides actionable insights for urban planners. Integrating these tools into planning processes is essential for promoting sustainable development and effective flood risk mitigation in Tebessa and other similarly affected cities.