Understanding the Changing LULC and its Effect on Air Quality through Field-Based Measurement and Model-Based Approach

Urbanization has caused drastic changes in landscapes in many developing countries. This study examines the effects of urbanization on Land use and air quality in Kharagpur, a developing industrial city in West Bengal, India. Land use dynamics are analyzed using satellite data and advanced classification techniques from 2010 to 2022. Cellular automata -Markov chain-based future Land use scenarios have been analyzed. Air Quality Index (AQI) data from various land uses are collected and analyzed to examine correlations between air quality and LULC using three Generalized Linear Models (GLMs). The third Model considering Business as Usual and lockdown scenarios, highlights that urban areas have a significant positive correlation with AQI. In contrast, vegetation, agricultural land, and water bodies correlate negatively. The findings show that industrial operations, transportation emissions, and urban development affect air quality. This research aids land use planning and air quality management decisions.