Urban Expansion Influence on Regional Climate and Its Impact on Population Health: A Comprehensive Study in Kolkata Metropolitan Region, India

Dinabandhu Mahata, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY INDORE
Sulochana Shekhar, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur-610005, India

Urban expansion affects land use and land cover changes in a particular region and influences regional climatic variability. Climate change poses a specific threat to coastal cities due to their geographical location and the people's livelihoods. This study aims to provide baseline input and scientific perspectives on urban expansion influences on regional climate and its impact on population health. The study used Satellite images to explore urban expansion, land cover change, and land surface temperature variation. The quantitative and qualitative data were collected through simple random sampling. The collected quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis, and qualitative data were analyzed through Narrative analysis. This study's findings provide important insights into urban expansion, the causes of regional climate change, and its impact on human health. The study result showed that vector-borne, waterborne, and air pollution-related diseases are the major threats to human health. In-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) revealed that most people stated that climate change directly and indirectly impacts their health. This study will help policymakers, urban planners, and healthcare providers to identify gaps in adaptation preparedness and allocate adaptation resources and strategic planning for climate change resilience.

Keywords: Population, Environment, and Climate Change, Population and Development, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Mixed methods research

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