The rapid industrialisation of an area requires quick preparation of actual land-cover/land-use (LC/LU) maps in order to detect and avoid overuse and damaging of the landscape beyond sustainable development limits. Satellite Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System technologies fit very well for long-term monitoring and assessment of such effects. As a pilot area for the use of such technologies, Gebze district near metropolitan Istanbul is considered. The study is centred on the documentation of LC/LU changes resulting from fast and mostly unregulated industrialisation and urbanisation over the period 1986 - 1998 by satellite images of the area. A comparison is made among observed patterns of LC/LU of the study area and the land-use patterns projected by the regional planning administration prepared in 1986. Fast change in LC/LU patterns overshooting the planned borders over a short time is observable. Present results may also provide an inventory of the area prior to the 17 August, 1999 Marmara earthquake.

The rapid industrialisation of an area requires quick preparation of actual land-cover/land-use (LC/LU) maps in order to detect and avoid overuse and damaging of the landscape beyond sustainable development limits. Satellite Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System technologies fit very well for long-term monitoring and assessment of such effects. As a pilot area for the use of such technologies, Gebze district near metropolitan Istanbul is considered. The study is centred on the documentation of LC/LU changes resulting from fast and mostly unregulated industrialisation and urbanisation over the period 1986 - 1998 by satellite images of the area. A comparison is made among observed patterns of LC/LU of the study area and the land-use patterns projected by the regional planning administration prepared in 1986. Fast change in LC/LU patterns overshooting the planned borders over a short time is observable. Present results may also provide an inventory of the area prior to the 17 August, 1999 Marmara earthquake.