The present study aimed to characterize the urban occupation using geotechnology in the upstream of the Wenzel Creek watershed (Rio Claro-SP/Brazil). Urbanized watersheds are composed of a variety of features, thus the development of a cartographic material allowed the analysis of the evolution of land use for 1958 and 2006. Thematic maps have been generated using the software Spring 4.3.3, where were obtained characteristics of distincts objects related to vegetation cover and features within cities. Procedures of digital processing and classification of the surface cover allowed quantifying the area occupied for each class: trees, grass, grass with bare soil, bare soil, building areas, paved street and dirt street. The areas occupied by trees and grass in 1958 were replaced by paved streets and residential buildings. The results indicated a reduction in vegetation cover, an increase of impermeable areas and suppression of water bodies. Considering the riparian forests as a protective factor to water bodies, this study has showed that the law n\ub04771, in force since1965 to May 2012, did not assured vegetation protection in the source area and at the stream margins in 2006. The use of geotechnology allowed the evaluation of land use changes indicating unsuitable areas designed for urban occupation and can be applied to studies of urban planning with an environmental perspective.Pages: 4480-448
