DYNAMICS OF URBAN GREEN SPACES IN DAVAO CITY: A SPATIOTEMPORAL ANALYSIS

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Current issue: Volume 25, No. 1 (2025)

Dynamics of urban green spaces in Davao City: a spatiotemporal analysis

Marvin D. Batican*, Richelyn C. Dumdum, Renato F. Lemente Jr, Jason Ben R. Paragamac

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59893/abud.25(1).001

Batican M.D., Dumdum R.C., Lemente Jr. R.F., Paragamac J.B.R. 2025. Dynamics of urban green spaces in Davao City: a spatiotemporal analysis. Acta Biol. Univ. Daugavp., 2025(1): 1-32.

Abstract

Urban green spaces (UGS) are critical to maintaining ecological balance and enhancing the quality of life in rapidly Urban green spaces (UGS) are critical to maintaining ecological balance and enhancing the quality of life in rapidly urbanizing cities. This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of urban green spaces in Davao City, Philippines, from 2015 to 2024, using multispectral Landsat satellite imagery and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) processed through QGIS. The analysis reveals a significant decline in dense and moderate vegetation across all three congressional districts, alongside a steady increase in non-vegetated land, indicating extensive urban expansion and land conversion. Notably, no vegetation areas more than doubled city-wide, with District II experiencing the highest rate of green space loss. District III retained the most extensive green cover but displayed volatile NDVI trends due to alternating cycles of development and reforestation. The results underscore the fragmented and uneven development of green spaces, highlighting implications for biodiversity, climate resilience, and equitable access to ecological resources. The study draws on Marxist spatial theory to contextualize these patterns and emphasizes the urgency of integrating sustainable land-use planning into urban development strategies. Policy recommendations include long-term vegetation monitoring, ecological assessments, community involvement, and the prioritization of green infrastructure in city planning.

Keywords: Urban Green Spaces, Built-up, NDVI, Spatiotemporal Analysis, Change, Davao City, Philippines.

*Corresponding author: Marvin D. Batican. Environmental Studies Department, University of Mindanao, 8000, Davao City, Philippines. E-mail: mbatican@umindanao.edu.ph

Richelyn C. Dumdum. Environmental Studies Department, University of Mindanao, 8000, Davao City, Philippines. E-mail: rdumdum@umindanao.edu.ph

Renato F. Lemente Jr. Environmental Studies Department, University of Mindanao, 8000, Davao City, Philippines. E-mail: j.lemente.480016@umindanao.edu.ph

Jason Ben R. Paragamac. Environmental Studies Department, Professional Schools, University of Mindanao, 8000, Davao City, Philippines