ANALYSIS OF URBAN GROWTH AND SPRAWL AND BUILT UP DENSITY USING REMOTE SENSING DATA: CASE OF CASABLANCA, MOROCCO

In Casablanca, the rate of population growth has been spectacular in recent years according to the 2014 National population census. The city has a population of 3.35 million in the urban area and over 4.27million on the outskirts. However, the unprecedented fast urban and demographic growth of Casablanca in the last decades, compiled with chronic lack of integrative urban strategies, has led to an urban and environmental crisis in the city. Remote sensing and GIS have become essential tools for urban planners to ensure better living quality and sustainable development. This study is the first of its kind in Morocco. In this paper, we have analyzed the city?s transformation in terms of built-up density, urban growth and sprawl and the relationship between urbanization and land use changes and their impact on the city space of Casablanca. Urban growth and sprawl in Casablanca have been assessed over a period of 32 years (1986-2018).Satellite imageries and census data have been used to accomplish this study, using classification methods and analysis of satellite imageries.