Satellite image analysis to evaluate the urban growth and land use changes in the city of Samara from 1975 to 2015

In the present paper, satellite image classification methods were applied to extract four main types of land use: water resources, built-up areas, forests and agricultural land. To evaluate in which way the urban growth and land use changes occurred in the city of Samara, Landsat satellite images taken at five different time periods over the years 1975-2015 were employed. Changes in all types of land use at different periods of time were calculated using the ArcGIS Software with due regard for population changes. The estimation of changes in the built-up area was conducted in relation to the population development.