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Journals / International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences / 2026 / Volume: 11 Issue: 2

Mapping Urban Growth Through Landscape Expansion Index and Land Use Analysis: Evidence from Western Turkey

Gülsüm Ecem Demirdağ(Mersin Üniversitesi)0000-0001-6876-2114
Kemal Mert Cubukcu(DOKUZ EYLÜL ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-3604-7014
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-12-16
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings reveal a significant increase in built-up areas, particularly after 2000, with a total expansion from 45682 hectares in 1984 to 68869 hectares in 2025.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study investigates the dynamics of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes along the İzmir-Denizli Highway corridor in western Turkey from 1984 to 2025, utilizing remote sensing techniques and the Landscape Expansion Index (LEI) to analyze urban growth patterns.
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Key Findings & Data:The findings reveal a significant increase in built-up areas, particularly after 2000, with a total expansion from 45682 hectares in 1984 to 68869 hectares in 2025.
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Conclusion & Impact:The study underscores the importance of integrating spatial and temporal analyses in urban planning to promote more sustainable development patterns and mitigate the adverse effects of urbanization on the environment.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:2025 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Remote Sensing · Land Use Land Cover (LULC) · Landscape Expansion Index (LEI)

Abstract

This study investigates the dynamics of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes along the İzmir-Denizli Highway corridor in western Turkey from 1984 to 2025, utilizing remote sensing techniques and the Landscape Expansion Index (LEI) to analyze urban growth patterns. Employing cloud-free Landsat satellite imagery and the Random Forest classification algorithm within Google Earth Engine, the research identifies and quantifies built-up area expansion over four decades. The findings reveal a significant increase in built-up areas, particularly after 2000, with a total expansion from 45682 hectares in 1984 to 68869 hectares in 2025. The analysis highlights a predominance of edge-expansion growth (71.3%), with outlying growth (27.4%) and minimal infilling growth (1.3%). This trend indicates a shift towards urban sprawl, raising concerns about the sustainability of land use practices. The study underscores the importance of integrating spatial and temporal analyses in urban planning to promote more sustainable development patterns and mitigate the adverse effects of urbanization on the environment.

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Cite This Article

Demirdağ, G. E., Cubukcu, K. M. (2025). Mapping Urban Growth Through Landscape Expansion Index and Land Use Analysis: Evidence from Western Turkey. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences, Volume: 11 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1659422

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