Spatio-temporal analysis of urban densities in Africa based on DLR's World Settlement Footprint suite

Abstract

This research work uses DLR’s World Settlement Footprint Evolution, WSF 3D and WSF Population data of six defined cities in Africa, namely Cairo, Dar Es Salaam, Accra, Antananarivo, Freetown and Capetown, to extensively analyze trends of horizontal and vertical growth within a thirty-year period (1985 to 2015). In particular, the parameters built-up area, built-up volume, built-up height and population are focused. The study concludes that all six cities experienced a substantial increase in built-up area, built-up volume and population after three decades. However, all the six cities experienced a decrease of average built-up height. This study also reveals that the 2D and 3D urban growth of Cairo, Dar Es Salaam, Accra, Freetown and Capetown are not sustainable, meaning that the built-up growth rate exceeds the population growth. The 2D and 3D urban growth of Antananarivo, on the other hand, is sustainable.