Abstract
We explore the relation between the local fractal dimension and the development of the built-up area of the Northern Margin of the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon (NMAL), for the period between 1960 and 2004. To this end we make use of a Generalized Local Spatial Entropy (GLSE) function based on which urban areas can be classified into five different types. Our analysis of NMAL shows how some of the growth dynamics encountered can be linked to the plethora of social, economic and political changes that have taken place in NMAL (and Portugal), during the last 40 years, allowing for the establishment of urban planning measures to either inhibit or promote sprawl in urban areas.
Highlights
We explore the relation between the local fractal dimension and the development of the built-up area of the Northern Margin of the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon (NMAL), for the period between 1960 and 2004
If the process of consolidation by compactification continues to shape urban growth in NMAL, it seems probable that Type 3 will start to behave in the same way as Types 1 and 2
We explored the relation between local fractal dimension and the development of the built-up areas of NMAL, for the period between 1960 and 2004
Summary
“How do cities form over time?” This key question posited by Herold et al [1] remains unanswered in urban growth theory. The existence of planning agencies, regulations and policies, does not necessarily imply more efficient resource utilization in urban areas, irrespective of whether they are located in more compact or dispersed territories It will depend on the space-time context of urban areas, something that varies among country regions and more so among different countries. In this study we explore the wide range of spatial structural patterns that arise in urban areas (from very dispersed to very compact) and, employing a previously developed model [8] [based on local fractal dimension and on a Generalized Local Spatial Entropy (GLSE) function on 1 km cells], establish a relation between these patterns and the set of social, economic and political changes that have taken place in NMAL - Northern Margin of the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon (and Portugal), during the last 40 years. A five year data interval would be ideal for the present analysis the available data is limited to three snapshots in time (1960, 1990 and 2004)
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