Browsing by Author "Gemeda Mekuria Habte"

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    Assessment Of Urban Tree Canopy Cover: Case Of Hawasa City
    (Addis Ababa University, 2024-04-01) Gemeda Mekuria Habte; Kalkidan Asnake (PhD)
    Urban Areas Face Increasing Challenges Related To Environmental Sustainability, With The Inadequate Of Green Infrastructure And Tree Canopy Coverage Being A Pressing Concern. This Study Focuses On The Assessment Of Tree Canopy Coverage In Hawasa City, Offering Crucial Insights Into The Multifaceted Benefits It Provides. Methodology Involves Itree, Remote Sensing, GIS Mapping, And Field Surveys, The Research Reveals That The Total Tree Canopy Cover In The City Is Approximately 18%. This Canopy Cover Serves As A Significant Carbon Sink, Storing And Sequestering Around 565,160 Tons Of Carbon, Thereby Contributing To The Mitigation Of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Levels. Additionally, The Study Finds That The Existing Tree Canopy Generates Substantial Economic Savings, Amounting To $27,321,773 Per Square Mile Per Year, By Reducing Energy Costs Associated With Indoor Cooling. Moreover, The Environmental Advantages Extend To Storm Water Management, With A Reduction Of 135,590 Liters Of Runoff Per Square Mile Per Year. This Not Only Aids In Preventing Property Damage But Also Results In A Significant Cost Savings Estimated At $320 Per Square Mile Per Year. The Study Further Highlights The Role Of Tree Canopy In Mitigating Urban Heat Island By Absorption Heat Energy That Come From The Sun, Revealing That In Each Square Meter Of Land, Light-Leafed Trees Absorb Only 615.18W Of The Solar Heat Energy And Reflecting 307.59W Back Into The Atmosphere. These Findings Underline The Holistic Benefits Of Preserving And Enhancing Tree Canopy Coverage In Urban Areas, Providing A Foundation For Evidence-Based Decision-Making By City Planners And Policymakers. The Methodologies Employed In This Study Offer A Replicable Framework For Similar Assessments, Encouraging The Adoption Of Sustainable Practices. Therefore, The Hawassa City Administration Should Set Tree Cover Targets To Achieve The Desired Balance Between Green And Grey Infrastructure And Enhance The Climate Resilience Level Of The Study Area.
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    Assessment of Urban Tree Canopy Cover: Case of Hawasa City
    (Addis Ababa University, 2025-04-01) Gemeda Mekuria Habte; Wondwosen Debebe (PhD
    Urban areas face increasing challenges related to environmental sustainability, with the inadequate of green Infrastructure and tree canopy coverage being a pressing concern. This study focuses on the assessment of tree canopy coverage in Hawasa City, offering crucial insights into the multifaceted benefits it provides. Methodology involves iTree, remote sensing, GIS mapping, and field surveys, the research reveals that the total tree canopy cover in the city is approximately 18%. This canopy cover serves as a significant carbon sink, storing and sequestering around 565,160 tons of carbon, thereby contributing to the mitigation of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Additionally, the study finds that the existing tree canopy generates substantial economic savings, amounting to $27,321,773 per square mile per year, by reducing energy costs associated with indoor cooling. Moreover, the environmental advantages extend to storm water management, with a reduction of 135,590 liters of runoff per square mile per year. This not only aids in preventing property damage but also results in a significant cost savings estimated at $320 per square mile per year. The study further highlights the role of tree canopy in mitigating urban heat island by absorption heat energy that come from the sun, revealing that in each square meter of land, light-leafed trees absorb only 615.18W of the solar heat energy and reflecting 307.59W back into the atmosphere. These findings underline the holistic benefits of preserving and enhancing tree canopy coverage in urban areas, providing a foundation for evidence-based decision-making by city planners and policymakers. The methodologies employed in this study offer a replicable framework for similar assessments, encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices. Therefore, the Hawassa city administration should set tree cover targets to achieve the desired balance between green and grey infrastructure and enhance the climate resilience level of the study area.