The Impact of Rapid Urbanization and Population Growth on the City Shape of Casablanca Morocco Using Remote Sensing

Urbanization of rural areas and rural exodus are the main factors characterizing the demographic evolution in Morocco. Moroccan cities are expected to host 73.7% of the country’s inhabitants by 2050 instead of 60.4% in 2014 that is 32.1 million and 20.4 million respectively. According to the 2014 National population census, Casablanca’s population growth has been impressive in recent years with an estimated population of 3.35 million in the urban area and over 4.27 million on the outskirts. In fact, the city of Casablanca is experiencing an urban and environmental crisis as result of the unprecedented fast urban and demographic growth in the last decades, compiled with chronic deficiency of integrative urban strategies. Urban planners have used remote sensing and GIS as essential tools to ensure better living quality and sustainable development. This study is the first of its kind in Morocco. In this paper, we have analysed the transformation of the city of Casablanca in terms of built-up density, urban growth and sprawl and the connection between land use cover changes and urbanization and their impact on the city shape. Urban growth and sprawl in Casablanca have been assessed over a period of 33 years (1986-2019). Census data and Satellite imageries have been utilized to accomplish this study, using classification methods and analysis of satellite imageries.