The Role of Reforestation Projects in Reducing Heat Island Phenomenon in the City of Makkah : An analytical study Using Remote Sensing Technique and Geographic Information Systems

Abstract

The reforestation projects are among the main elements of   land use in the city of Makkah for their effective role in addressing and reducing the number of problems associated with urban growth.  The heat island phenomenon is one of these problems . The city of Makkah   suffers most from this phenomenon, and here the question arises about the role of the projects of reforestation in     the city of Makkah in reducing heat island phenomenon.  Answering this question requires formulation of several objectives and the classification of land uses in the city of Makkah. It also requires calculation of the expense of green space in the winter and summer, and to identify patterns and sizes of heat island in the two seasons. In order   to examine the role of reforestation projects in alleviating the heat island in the city of Makkah, the study has used remote sensing and geographic information systems.   The results are summarized in the following points: the greater part of land is mainly used for housing   in the city of Makkah, followed by empty spaces and then rocky mountainous areas. Green spaces form about (58.51) of the  total area of  the city  .It is found that heat islands in the city of Makkah have formed  different patterns  including cool thermal Islands  , moderate thermal Islands, relatively moderate thermal islands , warm thermal Islands, hot thermal Islands, very warm thermal Islands, intense heat thermal Islands, and the moderate heat thermal islands. The temperate types were found to be the most common    throughout the city of Makkah in   winter, and that the   warm thermal  island is the  type that dominates most parts of the holy city of Makkah in the summer,. It is revealed that the reforestation projects role is very limited in alleviating the heat island in summer and winter. It is also found that  there are areas in the Holy City that    have been ranked in terms of risk to danger   at the level of  30%,others are classified as medium-risk areas at the level of 20%,and high-risk areas at the level of 22%.Ideed, all these  areas need plantation.