Tracking Urban Sprawl: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Patterns Using Remote Sensing and GIS

Source abstract

The urban sprawl phenomenon refers to the expansion of urban areas driven by high population growth and migration. A spatio-temporal approach is indispensable in urban sprawl research. Monitoring and evaluating urban sprawl in a region is crucial for controlling drastic environmental changes. Integrated Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies can serve as essential tools for this purpose. The aim of this systematic literature review paper is to gather information on the latest data, methods, and findings to be considered in future urban sprawl research. The PRISMA method was employed, involving filtering from the Scopus database, resulting in 30 papers selected for an in-depth review to address the objectives of this paper. Landsat data remains the preferred choice for monitoring changes due to its extensive historical archive compared to other data sources. Landscape metrics represent a more advanced method com-pared to conventional change detection in quantifying urban sprawl. Other indices and quantifiers are also used to support the quantification of urban sprawl. Two perspectives exist in selecting the study's temporal intervals: consistent and inconsistent, which are adjusted based on the natural characteristics of "change," namely "abrupt" and "gradual." Suggestions for future research include using data with detailed spatial resolution and narrow study intervals while considering the patterns of urban sprawl formation.