Assessing the Urban Quality of Life Using Remote Sensing and Socioeconomic Data: A Case Study of Islamabad City

Abstract

Continuous evaluation of the quality of life of a population holds significant importance as it enables planners, social workers, and government organizations engaged in the provision of human services to gain awareness of areas that require attention. This research investigates the interplay between urbanization and quality of life in Islamabad, Pakistan, utilizing a novel approach that integrates remote sensing data (Landsat-8) with socioeconomic indicators such as population density, household income, and college graduates. Results show that the level of vegetation greenness and the extent of urban land use within a particular area are significant indicators of the quality of life. A higher level of greenness and a lower percentage of urban land use are associated with a higher quality of life. However, densely populated and high land surface temperature areas show a decline in greenness and urban quality of life. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers toward a more sustainable and liveable city by addressing the challenges of population density, green space availability, surface temperature, and socioeconomic disparities.