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Mapping Urbanization Dynamics in Major Cities of Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, and Bolivia Using Night-Time Satellite Imagery

Author

Listed:
  • Isabel K. Parés-Ramos

    (Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 23360, San Juan, PR 00931, USA)

  • Nora L. Álvarez-Berríos

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 70377, San Juan, PR 00936, USA)

  • T. Mitchell Aide

    (Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 23360, San Juan, PR 00931, USA)

Abstract

By 2050, 90% of the population in Latin America will live in cities, but there is a lack of up-to-date spatial information about the urban extent and patterns of urbanization in cities of this region. In this study, we analyzed population growth, urban density and urbanization dynamics between 1992 and 2009 in the major cities of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Perú using Google Earth and DMSP/OLS night-time lights imagery. We used Google Earth to map the urban extent, and time series of night-time lights to analyze spatial patterns of urban development. The dominant urban development patterns were: high-density compact in Bogotá, Cali, Guayaquil, and Medellín; high-density expansive growth in La Paz/El Alto; low-density expansive in Quito and Santa Cruz; and a mix of high-density compact and suburban growth in Lima. Urban growth occurred largely along the periphery of cities, influenced by the local landscape and by demographic and socioeconomic factors such as immigration and housing prices. Urban density in Colombia (>20,000 per/km 2 ) was among the highest in the world. Future growth in the region will probably be characterized by densification and slow urban expansion. This study also validates the utility of Google Earth and night-time lights for monitoring urbanization.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabel K. Parés-Ramos & Nora L. Álvarez-Berríos & T. Mitchell Aide, 2013. "Mapping Urbanization Dynamics in Major Cities of Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, and Bolivia Using Night-Time Satellite Imagery," Land, MDPI, vol. 2(1), pages 1-23, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:2:y:2013:i:1:p:37-59:d:23406
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cohen, Barney, 2006. "Urbanization in developing countries: Current trends, future projections, and key challenges for sustainability," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 63-80.
    2. repec:aru:wpaper:200903 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Ivo Imparato & Jeff Ruster, 2003. "Slum Upgrading and Participation : Lessons from Latin America," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 15133, April.
    4. Sutton, Paul C. & Costanza, Robert, 2002. "Global estimates of market and non-market values derived from nighttime satellite imagery, land cover, and ecosystem service valuation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 41(3), pages 509-527, June.
    5. Bocarejo, Juan Pablo & Portilla, Ingrid & Pérez, Maria Angélica, 2013. "Impact of Transmilenio on density, land use, and land value in Bogotá," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 78-86.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

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    2. Zhang, Lin & He, Xiaoxia & Jia, Zhenli, 2023. "Industrial agglomeration, public services and city size: Evidence from 286 cities in China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    3. Murali, Ranjini & Suryawanshi, Kulbushansingh & Redpath, Stephen & Nagendra, Harini & Mishra, Charudutt, 2019. "Changing use of ecosystem services along a rural-urban continuum in the Indian Trans-Himalayas," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    4. Benedetto Manganelli & Beniamino Murgante, 2017. "The Dynamics of Urban Land Rent in Italian Regional Capital Cities," Land, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-18, August.

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