Directional analysis of são paulo metropolitan region urban growing (1905-2001), using fractal dimension

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the growing process of São Paulo metropolitan area urban agglomeration, from 1905 to 2001. Fractal analysis was used to identify factors that influenced the urban shape, spatial distribution of structures and the density of the occupation in the urbanized areas. This study was accomplished to thematic maps and orbital images. Using the association between concentric circles and cell count methods, the fractal dimension was measured to yield occupational density (Dd) of the urban areas. Urban agglomeration showed means values of Dd = 1.755 - which reflect a non-homogeneity in the filling pattern of the density from central to peripheral circle of urban space. Mean fractal dimension of urban radial growing was calculated to eight urban radial sectors as following: (I) Cantareira=1.829; (II) East Zone=1.898; (III) Mauá=1.848; (IV) Ipiranga=1.852; (V) Billings=1.858; (VI) Santo Amaro/Interlagos=1.848; (VII) Castelo Branco/Anhangüera=1.859; and (VIII) Anhangüera/Bandeirantes=1.863. Among determinants factors on fractal behavior of the sectors I, III, IV, V, VI e VIII, the topographical, hydrographical and environment-legal constraints did influence on fragmented occupation; and for sectors II, III, IV, VI e VII the high density of the occupation was supported by the public incentives on industrial, business and road development.