Spatiotemporal Variations of Urban Growth in Denizli, Turkey

Abstract

The existence of natural resources is under threat among various land use types because of the urban sprawl regarding the increase of population density such as forests, pastures, agricultural areas, water resources, etc. These resources have been lost significantly due to differentiating factors such as disasters, physical pressure originating from urbanization and development dynamics, irreversible use of resources, etc. Among these resources, especially agricultural areas in different abilities from I to III are affected primarily from the non-agricultural use of agricultural areas. The main purpose of study is to determine the spatiotemporal variations of urban growth using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques in central districts of Denizli city. The satellite images presenting the spatial changes due to urban growth in central districts (Merkezefendi and Pamukkale districts) between the years 1990 - 2018 and also 1/25.000 scaled topographic maps are used. As a result, it is observed that the existing urban macroform have changed and the misuse of natural resources have increased significantly in the 30-years period. These uses have changed in accordance with urban plan decisions based on the site selection of industrial areas and main transport routes. The effects of urban sprawl are evaluated in terms of urban planning discipline and important policies are developed in order to prevent the misuse of natural resources under threat of urbanization.