GIS-Based Assessment of Urban Environmental Quality (UEQ): Spatial Analysis and Implications for Sustainable Urban Planning: The Case of Finfinnee and Shaggar Cities

The quality of the urban environment in developing countries including Ethiopia is facing significant challenges due to swift urban growth-related alterations in land use, and a worsening of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This research offers an extensive GIS-based evaluation of urban environmental quality (UEQ) in Shaggar City, emphasizing the spatial differences among sub-cities and important land use categories.Key indicators of urban environmental quality such as Land Surface Temperature (LST), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), Land Use/Land Cover (LULC), and Urban Thermal Comfort Level (UTCL) were utilized with the help of geospatial techniques to pinpoint regions experiencing significant thermal stress, loss of vegetation, and high levels of built-up areas. The findings indicated that, across the entire study area of 2,038.5 km², the most critical regions, characterized by dense urban development and bare land, comprised 6.0% of the city, while critical and more critical areas together made up 84.3%, highlighting significant environmental strain. Conversely, forested areas, green spaces, and water bodies constituted the least critical regions, offering vital ecological benefits and helping to regulate the climate. An analysis at the sub-city level revealed that Finfinne, Kura Jida, and Sebeta are areas significantly affected by environmental degradation, whereas Melka Nonno and Mana Abichu displayed relatively better environmental conditions. The use of Land Surface Temperature (LST), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) helped to identify both high-risk thermal zones and ecologically resilient locations, offering valuable insights for focused interventions. The findings highlight the urgent necessity for sustainable urban planning approaches, which should include green infrastructure, urban forest initiatives, reflective construction materials, and community-based conservation efforts to alleviate heat stress, rehabilitate degraded areas, and improve overall urban livability. This study underscores the importance of detailed Urban Environment Quality (UEQ) assessments for informing evidence-based policy and advancing climate-resilient, sustainable urban development.