Object-Based Image Analysis of Slum Settlements: A Case Study from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

In recent years, slum settlements developed in nations, due to increases in population density and a lack of land use planning (Dar Ramani Huria, 2016). Remote sensing provides city planners, engineers, and local officials the ability to analyze past, present, and possible future growth of slum settlements and inadequate access to urban services (water, garbage disposal system, etc.). The research aims to extract building footprints of slum settlements in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to employ remote sensing methods, in order to identify and extract slum settlements in the observed area. High resolution imagery (0.3 meters), provided by Worldview 3 was used to assess urban structures within two wards in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Manzese & Tandale). Overall, this research provided evidence that Object-Based Image Analysis is a beneficial and useful process in capturing slum settlements, considering that it had captured up to 118,500 square meters of slums. Slum settlement mapping provides the following for citizens of slum settlements: access to water, improved sanitation, secure tenure, or more durable housing. Slum settlement mapping leads to a better understanding of future land use planning, the local economy, and housing regulations.