Monitoring Urban Development With EOSDA’s Solutions

Local Context: Akhtala Resort’s Heritage and Identity

Georgia is well-known for its health tourism opportunities, with a variety of resorts proposing their nature-based locations to visitors ^{Azmaiparashvili, M., & Goderdzishvili, I. (2024). Sustainable development of Georgian resorts: modern trends and challenges. Scientific Collection «InterConf+», 43(193), 29–36. https://doi.org/10.51582/interconf.19-20.03.2024.003.}. Since the 18th century, Akhtala has been revered as a place of natural wellness, where mud baths soothe ailments, and the lush surroundings nurture the spirit ^{Koroglishvili, K. (2024). Sustainable Urban Development Model (Example of Resort Akhtala).}. The resort’s pseudo-volcanic craters, filled with mineral-rich mud, have long been a staple of Georgian health culture. This unique landscape is not just a backdrop but central to Akhtala’s identity. Here, nature, culture, and history are inseparably intertwined, creating an experience that’s both timeless and essential.

However, the pressures of modernity are testing the balance that has sustained Akhtala for so long. The surrounding region is seeing rapid urban development as people move toward Tbilisi and nearby areas in search of jobs and new lifestyles. With this shift, the demand for leisure destinations like Akhtala has risen, but so too has the intrusion of buildings, roads, and infrastructure. Akhtala’s greenery and cherished natural sites are under threat, and the resort must adapt to survive without losing its essence ^{Khoshtaria, T. K., & Chachava, N. T. (2017). The planning of urban green areas and its protective importance in resort cities (case of Georgian resorts). Annals of Agrarian Science, 15 (2), 217–223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aasci.2017.05.009.}.

Focus: Threats to Akhtala’s Landscape

As buildings rise around the resort, the green spaces that once defined Akhtala are shrinking. Construction projects, deforestation, and soil erosion are chipping away at the landscape. One of the mud craters, which was a central feature of the resort, has already disappeared — a sign of the detrimental impact of human intervention.

With every tree felled and every inch of land repurposed, the region’s air quality, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem integrity suffer, impacting the health of visitors and the local community. Desertification and habitat loss remain persistent issues at Akhtala, exacerbated by these transformations. Urban planners and environmental researchers recognize the need for a sustainable model to accommodate the rising demand for leisure activities while safeguarding the resort’s natural resources. The resort’s journey is now one of survival and adaptation, balancing its historical significance with the need for sustainable practices.

Research: Levani Koroglishvili’s Contributions to Urban Sustainability

Levani Koroglishvili is a Ph.D. student and researcher from Georgian Technical University. For his thesis, he decided to investigate Akhtala’s situation through the “eyes” of remote sensing since monitoring a site of this scale—over 246,600 square meters, bordered by roads and inhabited by diverse flora—is beyond manual capability. Levani’s research utilized EOSDA Crop Monitoring, which offers an efficient and comprehensive view of the resort’s landscape.

My main goal was to study how human activities change the natural environment and assess the increasing environmental problems caused by these impacts as Akhtala grows.

Levani Koroglishvili

Ph.D. student, Technical University of Georgia

He wanted to capture how urban expansion impacts natural landscapes and to pinpoint areas particularly vulnerable to environmental degradation. The researcher used NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) and RECl (red-edge chlorophyll index) to classify the objects based on how much vegetation was in the specific spot. The information for 2020-2024 was analyzed. Similar index values were recorded in the same temperature conditions and the same seasonal time. However, a few occurrences were missing due to the heavy precipitation or sudden temperature drops. Below, you can see the NDVI and RECl maps of the resort.

On NDVI and RECl maps, objects with consistent size or color across seasons were easier to identify visually. Thus, Levani determined nine distinct categories of objects, including water (swamp) surfaces, pseudo-volcanic craters, low vegetation, parking/ground surfaces, paths, buildings, roads, evergreen foliage, and mixed vegetation.

The next step was to see the changes in vegetation over time. Using the NDVI and RECl maps, the shape and scale of the natural area were determined. Levani followed chronologically and observed the changes in the sizes and colors of the objects of interest.

Seasonal data for 2020-2024 provided insights into the impact of human activity, from soil erosion to construction encroachment. Some of the most alarming trends pointed to areas on the verge of desertification, with significant implications for local biodiversity. Levani’s findings revealed that without sustainable practices, Akhtala’s natural heritage could be at risk.

Perspectives: Akhtala as a Model for Georgian Resorts

Akhtala’s struggle symbolizes the challenges facing natural sites across Georgia. As the country invests in tourism, other resorts may face similar pressures. Akhtala’s efforts to use advanced monitoring tools and commit to sustainability offer a model for Georgian policymakers who aim to protect and promote the country’s unique landscapes. State-level strategies can draw on Akhtala’s experience, creating policies that balance tourism with environmental conservation.

By setting an example, Akhtala is able to preserve its legacy and show that even ancient natural sites can adapt to modern needs with the proper practices. It demonstrates that sustainability is not a barrier to growth but rather a means of enhancing the richness and longevity of these treasured locations.

Akhtala’s story offers a valuable lesson on the role of student researchers in shaping sustainable practices. However small, their contributions can influence local policies and inspire a more thoughtful approach to urban development across Georgia and beyond. Students like Levani Koroglishvili can make meaningful strides toward conserving and enhancing Georgia’s natural landscapes through innovative tools and data-driven insights.