In the context of a rapidly urbanizing world, heavy air pollution and increasing surface temperature pose significant threats to human health and lives, especially in densely populated cities. However, our knowledge of the corresponding mechanism as well as the process and consequences of urbanization remains limited. Here, I used two fastest-growing megacities of the Global South- Bangkok Metropolitan Area (BMA) in Thailand and Jakarta in Indonesia as cases for studying the processes and consequences of urbanization on the urban ecosystem and the services they provide via remote sensing and geospatial analysis. The dissertation has three research objectives: (1) understanding of the impact of urbanization on urban environment, (2) assessing the impact of different urban forms on urban environment, and (3) evaluating how urban residents with varying socioeconomic background affected differently by heat exposure. For the first objective, I developed a method to quantify the contribution of transboundary air pollution to the change of land surface temperature (LST), using BMA as a case. I took an information theory perspective to analyze the interdependent dynamics of LST and air pollutants during 2003 to 2020. I found bidirectional relationship between LST and air pollutants and agricultural residual burning, traffic congestion, and industrial activities have been identified as major sources contributing to pollution, hence influencing LST. For the second objective, I employed urban land density function and structural equation modeling to understand the dynamics of urban form and the role of three-dimensional characteristics in driving the urban environment in Jakarta from 2000 to 2020. I found that urban growth is predominantly directed outward rather than upward. The statistical models highlighted the proliferation of greenspaces driven by vertical growth and demonstrated the importance of green spaces as mediators of improving urban environment, such as heat islands and air pollution. For the third objective, I analyze the spatial heterogeneity impact of LST on urban residents with varying socioeconomic backgrounds based on geographically weighted regression model. I found that LST is strongly influenced by urban green space and displays a noticeable correlation with socioeconomic conditions, being particularly pronounced in areas designated as informal settlements. These results also indicate that to successfully execute the master plan, informal settlements must be prioritized in environmental justice discourse by actively involving them in mitigation efforts. In my dissertation, I also have used approaches from different disciplines, i.e., I used geospatial analyses, and statistical modeling, information theory, etc., to address complex research questions, which can be applied to other similar researches. I designed causality analysis to understand complex mechanisms of LST and air pollution that comprehensively improve the identification of the most influential area responsible for air pollution. I also identified the dynamics of urban form and impact on the urban environment, with particular focus on three-dimensional urban characteristics that adds merit to the literature of the discourse on urbanization and environmental change. I provided data-driven approaches to assist policymakers in taking appropriate strategies to ensure adequate green space provision and eliminate environmental inequalities in megacities.
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