An Assessment to Urban Sprawl Cities of Bragança, Paredes and Penafiel

Abstract

We address the issue of urban sprawl using two case studies: Bragança and Paredes/ Penafiel. We used the methodology proposed by Kasanko et al. (2005) and built a set of indicators to measure the evolution of built-up areas, land use and land taken by urban expansion as well as population and urban density. The paper draws on statistical and geographical information. The results highlight differences between the settlement patterns of each city. The use of Kasanko et al. methodology allowed us to compare the settlement patterns with those observed in other cities for which similar studies are available.