Urban land use and land cover mapping: proposal of a classification system with remote sensing

Abstract

The Brazilian urbanization process produced a complex urban space, with a variety of urban land use and cover as a result. The study of these forms through a classification system is essential, but most current systems don’t capture this complexity, condensing it. Urban forms are difficult to distinguish and classify, resulting in the need for a system with a high degree of detail, for a more accurate urban planning. The objective of this work is to propose a classification system for urban land use and cover, which can demonstrate the multiplicities through remote sensing, using data from CBERS 04A satellite. The methodology surveys the visual elements of remote sensing images, through visual interpretation, relating them to each proposed use and cover class. With this, a classification system was developed that covers the urban space in 17 classes, being an effective way to raise information about the different urban forms.