The Study of the Urban Sprawl and Landscape Change of the Western Coastal Plain of Taiwan

• Main Authors: Chu, Huan-An, 朱弘安
• Other Authors: Huang, Shu-Li
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/45766642984618229789

碩士 === 國立臺北大學 === 都市計劃研究所 === 99 === Global population and economic is growing rapidly, and the urban activities also expand, the process of urbanization evolves out of control and fragmented suburban development, the result is often referred to this phenomenon known as urban sprawl. Urban sprawl in peri-urban areas, where are often characterized by valuable natural environment and resource bases to provide essential ecosystem functions for urban residents. Urbanization caused the land use and land cover changed rapidly, making the natural environment and ecosystem become more sensitive and vulnerable. In recent decades, major national industrial policy and public facilities investment are focused in the western coastal plain, where urbanization has been extended and population is growing rapidly. Moreover, the environmental pressure is increasing in the same time. This research investigates the western coastal plain of Taiwan on the phenomenon of urban sprawl and landscape changes by interpreting land cover map of 1971 and 2006. Through establishing urban growth indicators, which take land use and socioeconomic factors into consideration, to understand the patterns and trends of urban sprawl. The landscape metrics were used to analyze landscape composition and configuration, which induce four groups: area, fragmentation index, dominance index, and diversity index. Urban growth indicators and landscape metrics were used for characterizing spatial patterns of urban sprawl and measuring landscape changes via the application of GIS and FRAGSTATS. The results reveal three urban growth types: compact growth, general growth, and sprawl growth. Results indicate that built-up and agricultural landscapes are significant changes because of sprawl growth. The number of patches and patch density of built-up and agricultural landscapes are increased, means patch size and contagion are reduced, and diversity index and evenness index also prove that the landscape pattern of sprawl growth is spreading and fragmented. Overall, the trend of landscape fragmentation may lead to ecosystem functions of natural resources are gradually disappearing. Keywords: Urban sprawl, Landscape metrics, Land use change, Land cover change