The spatiotemporal dynamics of rapid urban growth in the Nanjing metropolitan region of China

To better understand the spatio-temporal dynamics of the urban landscape of the Nanjing metropolitan region, China, we conducted a series of spatial analyses using remotely sensed data of 1979, 1988, 1998, 2000 and 2003. The results showed that the urban area as well as the growth rate increased significantly. Three urban growth types were distinguished: infilling, edge-expansion and spontaneous growth. The pattern of urban growth can be …