Analysis of Spatio-temporal Urban Growth using GIS Integrated Urban Gradient Analysis; Colombo District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

More than one half of the world’s population live in urban areas, which comprise the cities and their surroundings. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep on accommodating the burgeoning population due to the limited extent of urban spaces. Urban growth gradually spreads outward from the city to the fringe areas in an even or uneven manner and controlling it has proved to be a very challenging task. This spatial expansion can be observed as a physical process that occurs over a long period, showing continuous spatial changes in a temporal manner. Analysing and calculating this spatial process, is a significant matter. Most urban scholars use Landscape Expansion Index combined with urban gradient analysis to quantify urban growth. This research aims to quantify spatio-temporal urban growth in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka using GIS integrated urban gradient analysis. Keywords Urban Gradient Analysis, Urban Growth, Growth Type Index