Mega Project Technique Support : A Case Study of Urban Development and Urban Expand

Like other major cities in the world, Bangkok and some other cities in Thailand are expanding rapidly. The Office of Transports and Traffic Policy and Planning had selected three cities for a study of urban change; namely, Bangkok Metropolis and vicinity ( including Nontha buri, Samut Prakan , Prathum Thani, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom), Chiang Mai and Nakhon Nayok. The main objective of the study is to monitor urban development and urban extension as well as the change of landuse from farm land to urban area during two periods by using available satellite data. LANDSAT-5 TM and SPOT-HRV panchromatic were used for the first period and LANDSAT-7 ETM+ and IRS-lD panchromatic were used for the second period with a lapsed time of 14 years. I was found that during this period Bangkok Metropolis and vicinity extended 1,222 square kilometer; Chiang Mai 68.3 square kilometer, Nakhon Nayok 5.97 square kilometer. Most landuse categories which had been changed to urban were rice paddy and mixed orchard. Some suggestion for sound urban development based on satellite data was also included.