Monitoring Urban Green Spaces Using Remote Sensing: A Multi-Regional Review and Case Study of Dubai, UAE

Urban green spaces play a critical role in sustaining environmental quality, public health, and overall urban livability. As global urbanization accelerates, these spaces face increasing pressure from infrastructure expansion and population growth. This study investigates the application of remote sensing technologies for monitoring the extent and health of urban green spaces, with a particular focus on Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Drawing on satellite-based indices such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the study combines a structured literature review of international case studies with an empirical, longitudinal analysis of satellite imagery from 2018 to 2024. Area-weighted and vegetation-only NDVI metrics are computed to assess both general vegetation presence and the health of existing green spaces. Results indicate a marked decline in vegetation health over the study period, despite relatively stable overall vegetation coverage. The findings underscore the importance of continuous remote sensing–based monitoring and highlight the need for policy interventions aimed at improving the resilience and sustainability of urban green infrastructure in arid environments.