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Waste generation and change trends in Nairobi.
Source publication
As the urban population grows and the global economy develops, municipal solid waste management (MSWM) has become an increasingly prominent global issue. MSWM is particularly difficult in developing countries due to its high cost and time-consuming nature. The Environment-based design (EBD) can potentially contribute to global MSWM by reducing cost...
Citations
... In cities across the Global South such as Dhaka, Nairobi, and Johannesburg, uncontrolled urban expansion, institutional failures, and inadequate infrastructure have resulted in unsustainable solid waste management (SWM) practices, pollution, and public health risks (Akash et al., 2018;Du et al., 2021;Kubanza & Simatele, 2020;Ogutu et al., 2021). For example, Dhaka's unprecedented urban growth has reduced vegetation cover, increased land surface temperature, and intensified SWM challenges (Rahaman et al., 2023), while Nairobi's urban sprawl has led to similar environmental consequences, including the urban heat island effect (Mundia & Aniya, 2006). ...
The current study investigates the relationship between urbanization, solid waste generation, and environmental changes in Kota city from 2000 to 2023. The study employs Google Earth Engine (GEE) to analyze land use and land cover (LULC) classification, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference modified water index (NDMWI), normalized difference built-up index (NDBI), land surface temperature (LST), and predict future LULC changes up to 2043. The results show that the built-up area increased by 122.38%, correlated with a 294.16% increase in solid waste generation and a significant increase of 24.6% in urban temperature (R² = 0.9936). Vegetation cover and water resources declined during this period, and NDVI and NDMWI values indicate environmental degradation. Future LULC forecasts for 2043 show that urban expansion will continue, with built-up areas expected to increase by 16.74% at the expense of natural resources. To mitigate these effects, the study emphasizes the need for sustainable urban planning, which includes green infrastructure, advanced waste recycling systems, and strategies to mitigate urban heat islands. These findings provide significant insights for policymakers who seek to balance urban growth with environmental sustainability and proficient waste management.
