Urban sprawl in south european cities: a comparison based on spatial metrics

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to analyze and compare the form and structure of large South European cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Turin, Athens, and Marseille) by estimating spatial metrics quantifying the density, geometry, dispersion and mixing of land use patches. The methodology is used to evaluate urban sprawl patterns and to compare the land use patterns in each urban area. Results show that although certain similarities are observed, there in not a common typology of urban sprawl. Rome is identified as the most sprawling city, with large dispersion and fragmentation of low-density development, while in Madrid a network of densely built-up peri urban settlements results in a polycentric structure. In Marseille and in Barcelona, urban sprawl takes a linear form along transportation corridors and the coastal zone, in Athens the monocentric structure is more dominant while in Milan a dense network of urban fabric areas is developed in close relation to industrial/commercial zones.