Urban Sprawl Analysis Using Landscape Metrics in Chiba Prefecture, Japan from 1990-2021

Abstract

Abstract Urban sprawl, characterized by unregulated development on the outskirts of urban areas, leads to agricultural land loss, reduced biodiversity, and environmental issues. The study employs landscape metrics to analyze the spatial patterns and effects of urban sprawl by measuring the fragmentation and structure of urban areas in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The research employs data collected from Landsat imagery 5 (1990) and 8 (2021) and utilizes the Google Earth Engine platform for spatial and temporal analysis. The Land Use Land Cover (LULC) assessment reveals the transformation of Chiba’s landscape from 1990 to 2021, with urban areas expanding significantly and vegetation decreasing. The analysis using 8 selected landscape metrics highlights the varying degrees of urban sprawl across Chiba Prefecture. Cities near Tokyo show higher levels of sprawl, while some areas outside the edge experience growing development. Notably, there is a trend of increasing urban sprawl toward the edge. As Chiba Prefecture faces challenges from an aging population, the findings emphasize the need for controlled urban development to mitigate the negative impacts of sprawl and the importance of sustainable urban planning especially towards the edge area to ensure a balance between development and environmental preservation.