The Impact of Urbanization on Environmental Systems and Applications to Urban Sustainability: A Case Study of the Atlanta Metro Region, Georgia Público

Abstract

Urban sustainability is increasingly becoming a critical topic in policy decisions and city planning, as well as in personal choices of where people move, and understanding the relationship between environmental factors and urban impacts is an important dynamic. This thesis assesses the impact of urbanization on environmental systems for the Atlanta Metro Region in Georgia during the years 2000 to 2019. Urbanization is described using GIS methods to present data on population spread and urban density. The study analyzes thunderstorm occurrence, duration and intensity using METAR data from ASOS stations at urban and rural locations to understand meteorologic impacts. Analysis of impervious surface cover and basin discharge profiles at urban and rural USGS stream gage sites reflect effects on the hydrologic system and describe stream impacts and flood risk. Results show that the rate of urban spread in Atlanta is declining; but both urban and rural areas are increasing in density, which creates greater impervious surface area as residential spaces shift to commercial and industrial land uses. Increased impervious surface cover contributes to urban heat island effects and urban-initiated thunderstorm development. Although a significant difference was not found between thunderstorm occurrence at urban versus rural stations, results did show a significant increase in thunderstorm duration in urban locations. Results further show that impervious surface area positively correlates with average stream discharge, with the highest values at urban sites, which translates to increased occurrence and regularity of flooding events for the urban watershed. Observed data and trends were used to inform a definition of urban sustainability that serves as the perspective for evaluating sustainable practices being employed in Atlanta and presenting alternatives to consider. As our population continues to expand into cities, we must manage municipalities with the mindset that development and growth can be independent from environmental degradation. This study sought to present accessible methodologies and connect some of the science behind urban environmental impacts with sustainability solutions in an approachable manner, with the goal to provide all stakeholders with needed information for understanding the issues, evaluating areas of greatest concern, and identifying strategies that apply to their region.

Table of Contents

PRELIMINARY PAGES

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1

Environmental Systems ........................................................................................ 2

CHAPTER 1. Urban Spread and Density in Atlanta, Georgia from 2000-2016 ...... 7

Data and Methods ................................................................................................. 7

Map Scale and Spatial Reference .......................................................................... 7

Data Acquisition ................................................................................................... 9

Urban Spread ........................................................................................................ 10

Urban Density ....................................................................................................... 10

Results .................................................................................................................. 12

Discussion ............................................................................................................ 15

Conclusions .......................................................................................................... 16

CHAPTER 2. Meteorologic Effects of Urbanization .............................................. 17

Data and Methods ................................................................................................ 18

Data Acquisition ................................................................................................... 18

Data Cleansing and Processing ............................................................................. 19

Results .................................................................................................................. 21

Analysis of Temperature Anomalies ..................................................................... 21

Thunderstorm Duration ....................................................................................... 22

Thunderstorm Number ........................................................................................ 23

Thunderstorm Intensity ....................................................................................... 25

Discussion ............................................................................................................. 26

Conclusions ........................................................................................................... 27

CHAPTER 3. Hydrologic Effects of Urbanization .................................................. 28

Data and Methods ................................................................................................. 29

Data Acquisition ................................................................................................... 29

Impervious Surface Analysis ................................................................................. 31

Results .................................................................................................................. 32

Basin Discharge Profiles ....................................................................................... 32

Impervious Surface Cover and Stream Impacts .................................................... 34

Flood Events ......................................................................................................... 35

Discussion ............................................................................................................ 37

Conclusions .......................................................................................................... 39

CHAPTER 4. Applications to Urban Sustainability ............................................... 40

Reducing Urban Heat Island Potential .................................................................. 42

Albedo and Building Materials .............................................................................. 43

Vegetation ............................................................................................................. 44

Anthropogenic Heat .............................................................................................. 46

Mitigating Stream Impacts Resulting from Impervious Surface Cover ................. 47

Permeable Pavement ............................................................................................ 48

Greenspace and Green Infrastructure ................................................................... 49

Strategies for Maximizing Efficiency of Urban Density Increases ......................... 50

Summary ............................................................................................................... 52

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................ 54

APPENDIX A. ArcGIS Methodology ...................................................................... 62 

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Environmental Studies
Degree	B.S.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Environmental Sciences Sustainability
Palabra Clave	Urbanization Stream Impacts Urban Sustainability Thunderstorms
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Donaher, Shaunna, Emory University
Committee Members	Schaumann, Caroline, Emory University Hall, Anne, Emory University

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