Evaluating the Role of Urban Green Spaces in Reducing Vulnerability and Enhancing Climate Resilience in Zahedan

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Candidate in Climatology, Department of Geography, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Climatology, Department of Geography, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

3 Associate Professor of Climatology, Department of Geography, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

Abstract

In the face of escalating climate change and its cascading impacts, urban resilience has become a fundamental approach to achieving sustainable city management. Zahedan, situated in an arid to semi-arid region, experiences severe climatic stressors including rising land surface temperatures, declining soil moisture, intensifying droughts, and increasing occurrences of dust storms. This study investigates the role of urban green spaces in reducing climate vulnerability and enhancing resilience, focusing on two neighborhoods with contrasting environmental conditions: Daneshgah (University) and Shirabad. Utilizing Landsat satellite imagery, spatiotemporal changes in vegetation cover (NDVI) and land surface temperature (LST) were analyzed for the period 1980–2023. Climatic parameters—air temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind speed—were examined through time-series analysis and validated using the Mann–Kendall trend test. Furthermore, the TOPSIS multi-criteria decision-making model was applied to evaluate and rank neighborhood vulnerability and resilience levels. The results reveal a marked decline in vegetation cover accompanied by a significant rise in land surface temperature over the past four decades. Drought indices suggest that decreasing precipitation and humidity levels are primary drivers of these patterns. The Daneshgah neighborhood, characterized by greater vegetation density, exhibits higher climate resilience compared to Shirabad. Vegetation in Daneshgah enhances urban resilience by absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen, reducing ambient temperature, and improving soil water retention, thereby mitigating air pollution and urban heat island effects. Conversely, Shirabad’s compact built environment, inadequate infrastructure, and limited green space intensify its climate vulnerability. The findings underscore the critical role of effective green space management—particularly through the cultivation of drought-tolerant species, adoption of smart irrigation technologies, and establishment of urban green belts—in strengthening Zahedan’s urban climate resilience.

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References

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Green Development Management Studies
Volume 4, Special Issue
November 2025
Pages 111-126

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History

  • Receive Date: 31 December 2024
  • Revise Date: 28 February 2025
  • Accept Date: 27 May 2025

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