The contribution of Brasília's urban sprawl to the fragmentation of the Brazilian Cerrado around the city

Abstract This paper assesses, using landscape metrics, the fragmentation of the Brazilian Cerrado caused by Brasília’s urban sprawl. The study is divided into three analysis: i) diachronic analysis; ii) synchronic analysis; and iii) scenario of non-urban sprawling of the city. The diachronic analysis (1953-2013) studies the Distrito Federal’s landscape transformations focusing on urban areas and on natural areas. The synchronic analysis compares urban densities and urban compactness in Brazilian’s metropolitan areas (São Paulo / SP, Rio de Janeiro / RJ, Belo Horizonte / BH, Recife / PE, Porto Alegre / RS, Salvador / BA, Brasília / DF, Fortaleza / CE and Curitiba / PR) in 2015. The hypothetical scenario of Brasília’s non-urban sprawling shows the shape and size that the city could have if it were denser and more compact. Results indicate that a denser and more compact urban scenario could have preserved more of the city's natural landscape.