Date of Graduation

Summer 2009

Degree

Master of Science in Geospatial Sciences

Department

Geography, Geology, and Planning

Committee Chair

Jun Luo

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand and analyze the determinants of land use change in the Springfield, Missouri metropolitan area, using GIS, remote sensing and statistical techniques. Land use change has been statistically modeled and analyzed. Economic indicators and employment multipliers are used to analyze and understand the urban growth patterns. Spatial analysis tools in GIS are used to analyze the urban growth patterns and they are compared with the Vision 2020 plan for the city of Springfield. Spatial analysis and the statistical models suggest that growth of urban areas away from Springfield, influence of dominant urban core, increased accessibility, development of transportation and municipal sewer network, and economic development have lead to land use conversions, mainly along transportation corridors. Growth of Republic, Nixa and Ozark heavily influenced crop to urban conversions in Greene and Christian counties. The analysis of landscape metrics indicated the necessity of understanding spatial variations in land use change (1992-2005) in the metropolitan area. The trade-off between commuting time and rural life style has resulted in rapid development in the suburban areas, especially in Nixa and Ozark.

Keywords

statistical models of urban growth, landscape metrics, land Use change, urban growth, Springfield

Subject Categories

Demography, Population, and Ecology | Urban Studies and Planning

Copyright

© Nagaraj Kapil Kanala

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