Changes in urban forest land cover in Banda Aceh

Urban development has significantly changed the land cover surface over the last few decades. Changes in urban land cover can result in higher temperatures in urban areas than in rural areas. This study aims to determine changes in land cover of green open spaces in the urban forest of Simpang Tiga Setui. The research data used in this study are primary data and secondary data. Primary data was obtained from surveys and observations in the field, namely by validating land use maps that aim to get an overview of field conditions. Secondary data were obtained from satellite imagery, literature from previous studies, and related agency documents. The process of digitizing land cover is also carried out in the green open space area taken from Landsat 5 images. The results showed that the forest cover of the Simpang Tiga Setui in Banda Aceh did not decrease by 0.1 ha between 2004 and 2013. The increase in forest cover from 2013 to 2016 was 0.1 ha.