Megaciudad Buenos Aires: Cartografía de su última expansión y conurbación mediante el procesamiento digital de imágenes satelitales nocturnas

Abstract

Digital processing of nocturnal satellite images and the use of Geographical Information Systems confirms that the last expansion and conurbation of the Megacity Buenos Aires occurred with the turn of the century. This is verified by analyzing a period of two decades (1992-2012) with centrality in 2002. Although the stabilization of the growth of the Megacity Buenos Aires began five decades ago, the temporal analysis of images and the realization of thematic cartography allowed a spatial representation of a new conurbation process. This process was developed in five axes of expansion incorporating other cities in the metropolitan region whose average distance to the main center is 61 km. The nocturnal satellite images provide new perspectives of the urban space when the concepts of megacity, urban expansion, conurbation and gray infrastructure are used. Through the elements provided by the consolidated urban area, diffuse urbanization and the greater density and proportion of communication channels we have the possibility of capturing current configurations and count with elements to foresee future spatial trends.