Urbanization analysis in Wuhan area from 1991 to 2013 based on MESMA

Using multiple endmember spectral mixture analysis, six remote sensing images of Landsat data in Wuhan area through 1991 to 2013 are unmixed to investigate the urbanization process. The result indicates that urbanization process has resulted in the transformation of the natural landscape to an anthropogenic urban built-up area. However, this transformation has not been smooth. In addition, the urbanization pattern changed in time and space. From 1991 to 2000 and 2009 to 2013, the urban growth pattern consisted of new land development, whereas from 2000 to 2005, it was focused more on urban redevelopment. Spatially, the expansion of the built-up area occurred outward from the geographic center of Wuhan. The process in Hankou was dependent on the structure of the old town and developed layer by layer in an arc. The built-up area grew at a slow rate throughout Hanyang, while in Wuchang, it expanded to the east as a result of the economic developing area. The correlation between the total built-up area with social statistic proves that the urbanization process leads to the population growth and economic explosion.