GAULCF (2001-2020)

Changes in urban land cover (ULC) provide critical evidence of urbanization including both urban expansion and internal structural renewal. Existing global urbanization research focused on urban expansion and neglected the dynamic ULC changes occurring inside urban areas. This study addresses this issue by developing a Global Annual Urban Land Cover Fraction (GAULCF) dataset from 2001 to 2020. GAULCF's intensive monitoring of ULC changes during urbanization aids in identifying potential issues in urban development, providing crucial insights and data support for addressing global challenges and achieving sustainable urban development.