Utilizing remote sensing for land change and night lights in urbanization: correlation between built-up area expansion in Berau city and changes in climate parameters

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between population growth and urban expansion as well as their impacts on climate and environmental parameters in Berau Regency, Indonesia. Using night-light data and land use/land cover (LULC) analysis from 2019 through 2023, the research identified significant urban growth, with night-lit areas doubling and a population increase from 232,290 to 280,990. Urban expansion led to notable land conversion, reducing vegetated areas by 18,202.38 ha, while built-up and open land grew by 11,768.6 ha and 5,989.74 ha, respectively. These changes impacted environmental conditions, with non-vegetated areas experiencing higher land-surface temperatures (31–34°C) and lower rainfall (5,000–6,000 mm/year) compared to the cooler and wetter vegetated areas (20–21°C; 7,000–8,000 mm/year). The findings emphasized vegetation’s role in regulating temperature and rainfall, highlighting the environmental risks of urbanization and the need for sustainable land management to mitigate climate impacts in growing cities.