Geospatial Analysis of Urban Development and Environmental Changes in Puerto Princesa City, Philippines, from 2014 to 2022

This study examines the environmental transformation of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, from 2014 to 2022, with particular attention to how urbanization and population growth have reshaped land cover and local climate conditions. Using remote sensing data and demographic information, the analysis tracked changes in vegetation, built-up areas, and surface temperature patterns. Over the eight years, developed land nearly doubled, expanding from 34.4 km² to 67.7 km², largely at the expense of open spaces along the urban peripheries. Rural barangays showed mixed patterns, with some experiencing stagnation or decline in population and land conversion, while others exhibited localized forest recovery. The land surface temperature rose steadily, with mean values increasing from 26.9°C in 2014 to 28.1°C in 2022, and higher temperatures were consistently recorded in densely populated urban barangays. Built-up areas showed a stronger association with rising surface temperatures compared to vegetation cover, underscoring the role of urban expansion in driving thermal changes. The urban heat island effect, though fluctuating across the study years, became more widespread by 2022, with moderate-intensity zones expanding beyond the urban core. These findings point to significant ecological and climatic shifts, emphasizing that both rural development and urban densification contribute to rising heat stress. The resulting impacts on vegetation and surface temperatures of these land cover changes emphasize the need for integrated land use planning and climate-resilient urban development strategies in Puerto Princesa City.