urbanchangedetection1990-2000.docVIP

Alberta Bianchin is an Associate Professor in the Planning Department at University Iuav of Venice (Italy), where she teaches cartography and associated new technologies (Gis and RS). Her research is focused in the Theory of Cartography, and New Technologies in Cartography, involving Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems. E-mail: alberta@iuav.it. MAPPING URBAN TRANSFORMATIONS USING SATELLITE IMAGES Alberta Bianchin and Laura Bravin Planning Department University Iuav of Venice alberta@iuav.it Abstract This paper analyses changes on the urbanization process occurred over a period of ten years (1990-2000) in a vast area located in the Veneto Region (north-eastern Italy). These studies aimed to confirm through quantitative data a supposed trend towards a diffusion of urbanization in the region (e.g. the diffuse city phenomena). A simple comparison between two urban maps produced at two dates lacks information about the characteristics of the urban development: be it concentrated or diffuse. For such purposes the description of urban phenomena needs to differentiate different typologies. Thus, the methodology developed, comprises two separate successive phases. The first phase involves the creation of a map of built-up areas on the two specified dates; the second, focuses on the identification and definition of classes or typologies of built-up areas pinpointed in the first phase. Change analysis is therefore carried out by comparing the types of built-up areas. The strategies, approaches, and processing techniques that may be used in the first phase are discussed and methodological considerations made. Processing techniques of the second phase, which includes computing local density of built-up areas, morphological segmentation and landscape indices, are presented and discussed in the context of the Veneto region. The Veneto Region: a particular mapping experience The application of Remote Sensing to urban studies for analysing and monitoring the d