Abstract

Mansionization Monitoring using Remote Sensing and GIS
Track: Urban and Regional Planning
Authors: Su Jin Lee, Keith Clarke, Catherine Rich, John Wilson, Travis Longcore

Over the past 50 years, the size of single-family homes has significantly increased, with new structures reaching proportions that can only be described as mansions. So-called "mansionization" increases the extent of impervious surfaces such as buildings and parking areas and decreases that of permeable areas such as yards and gardens. These changes can have a negative impact on ecosystem services, urban climate, biodiversity and quality of life. This study identifies mansionization using remote sensing and GIS. To quantify the degree of mansionization, we obtained house property information for the 20 most populous cities in Los Angeles County and then classified land use in these areas from aerial images dated 2000, 2006, and 2008. We then digitized land cover. These techniques not only help identify and monitor mansionization, but also guide city planners in creating policies to combat the environmental consequences of the aggressive redevelopment of single-family neighborhoods.