Detection of environmental effects of urban sprawl by using remote sensing technology: An example of Ölüdeniz (Fethiye)

For last 20 years, usage of the high resolution satellite images to monitore the environment has been widespread. Due to the its sensitive measurement, low cost and short time features, use of the satellite images are widespread in many scope to detect the changes in landuse/landcover. Most common of these studies involves the detection of effects of urban sprawl and urban utilization on environment. Remote sensing is an important technique that is used in monitoring urban development and planning applications. In this study, effects of urban sprawl of Fethiye South-Ölüdeniz-Kayaköy area were monitorized by using the remote sensing technique and Ikonos-2 satellite images between 2002 and 2007 years. Land change were determined and effects of urban sprawl on environment were researched between 2002 and 2007. Additionally, the role of topography and slope which limit the land cover/landuse changes on urban sprawl in between 2002 and 2007. The main evidence of the study is the change of forest and agriculture areas to urban area in very short time such as 5 years. There has been 3 km2 decrease in forest area and 2 km2 in agricultural area, and 10 km2 increase in urban area.