Using multitemporal MSS and TM/LANDSAT image and aerial photography has been possible to identify the urban expantion of Belo Horizonte Metropolitam Area (BHMA) and the principal growth axes. This monitoring has been done using aerial photo of 1950 and 1967 (this mapping has been developed by PLAMBEL - Bureau of Metropolitan Planning) and using LANDSAT TM and MSS image of 1975, 1980, 1985 and 1990. These data have been digitalized and integrated in the GIS developed by INPE (National Institute os Spatial Research), Brazil. This method has provided important and significant data about urban expantion process of BHMA. It was easy to see and establish, with this study, the urban growth during 40 years (1950 to 1990). As a matter of fact, BHMA had growth more than 700%, or it had an area of almost 80 Sq.Km in 1950 and it had almost 410 Sq.Km in 1990. These data weren't published until this work and they are very important to urban planners.Pages: 41-4
