Delineating Cambodian cities and assessing their sustainable growth with the inclusive wealth index
Abstract Cambodia is experiencing rapid urbanization, posing significant risks to its natural capital (NC) and long-term sustainability. The absence of robust estimates quantifying the environmental costs of urban expansion has perpetuated this challenge. Here, we present an integrated approach to e...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11488-8 |
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| author | Thierry Yerema Coulibaly Shunsuke Managi |
| author_facet | Thierry Yerema Coulibaly Shunsuke Managi |
| author_sort | Thierry Yerema Coulibaly |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Cambodia is experiencing rapid urbanization, posing significant risks to its natural capital (NC) and long-term sustainability. The absence of robust estimates quantifying the environmental costs of urban expansion has perpetuated this challenge. Here, we present an integrated approach to evaluate the sustainability of urban growth in Cambodia by (1) delineating the boundaries of major cities, (2) assessing urban expansion dynamics, and (3) quantifying the associated depletion of NC from 2010 to 2020. Using Landsat imagery at 30 m resolution and machine learning techniques, we identified clusters of built-up areas to map urban growth. By employing the UN Inclusive Wealth Index framework, we estimate the economic cost of NC depletion, providing insights into the sustainability of urban development. Results reveal that, while urban expansion has maintained positive inclusive wealth growth, NC density has declined by an average of 3% between 2010 and 2020. Projections using a cellular automata model suggest that, if current trends continue, urban expansion could place over USD 56 million worth of ecosystems at risk of depletion by 2030. These findings underscore the need for targeted investments and protective measures to safeguard NC and ensure sustainable urban growth. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a6d17a129ac74b5b87d68f6fc8556dd0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-a6d17a129ac74b5b87d68f6fc8556dd02025-08-20T03:46:08ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-11488-8Delineating Cambodian cities and assessing their sustainable growth with the inclusive wealth indexThierry Yerema Coulibaly0Shunsuke Managi1Departments of Civil Engineering, Kyushu UniversityDepartments of Civil Engineering, Kyushu UniversityAbstract Cambodia is experiencing rapid urbanization, posing significant risks to its natural capital (NC) and long-term sustainability. The absence of robust estimates quantifying the environmental costs of urban expansion has perpetuated this challenge. Here, we present an integrated approach to evaluate the sustainability of urban growth in Cambodia by (1) delineating the boundaries of major cities, (2) assessing urban expansion dynamics, and (3) quantifying the associated depletion of NC from 2010 to 2020. Using Landsat imagery at 30 m resolution and machine learning techniques, we identified clusters of built-up areas to map urban growth. By employing the UN Inclusive Wealth Index framework, we estimate the economic cost of NC depletion, providing insights into the sustainability of urban development. Results reveal that, while urban expansion has maintained positive inclusive wealth growth, NC density has declined by an average of 3% between 2010 and 2020. Projections using a cellular automata model suggest that, if current trends continue, urban expansion could place over USD 56 million worth of ecosystems at risk of depletion by 2030. These findings underscore the need for targeted investments and protective measures to safeguard NC and ensure sustainable urban growth.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11488-8Urban expansionInclusive wealth indexNatural capitalRemote sensingCambodia |
| spellingShingle | Thierry Yerema Coulibaly Shunsuke Managi Delineating Cambodian cities and assessing their sustainable growth with the inclusive wealth index Scientific Reports Urban expansion Inclusive wealth index Natural capital Remote sensing Cambodia |
| title | Delineating Cambodian cities and assessing their sustainable growth with the inclusive wealth index |
| title_full | Delineating Cambodian cities and assessing their sustainable growth with the inclusive wealth index |
| title_fullStr | Delineating Cambodian cities and assessing their sustainable growth with the inclusive wealth index |
| title_full_unstemmed | Delineating Cambodian cities and assessing their sustainable growth with the inclusive wealth index |
| title_short | Delineating Cambodian cities and assessing their sustainable growth with the inclusive wealth index |
| title_sort | delineating cambodian cities and assessing their sustainable growth with the inclusive wealth index |
| topic | Urban expansion Inclusive wealth index Natural capital Remote sensing Cambodia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11488-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT thierryyeremacoulibaly delineatingcambodiancitiesandassessingtheirsustainablegrowthwiththeinclusivewealthindex AT shunsukemanagi delineatingcambodiancitiesandassessingtheirsustainablegrowthwiththeinclusivewealthindex |