Urban Expansion

Provided by: Google Earth |Published on: April 27, 2021

Data, Graphs, and Maps

6789101112

Scientist Reviewed ↗

Synopsis

This interactive time-lapse map takes students to Las Vegas, Dallas-Fort Worth, Seoul, Shanghai, São Paulo, Lagos, Paris, Dubai, and Singapore to explore urban expansion over time.
Satellite imagery dates back to 1985 and each location includes a summary of the changes observed and some of the unique features of each location.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, Geography

Authors: Google Earth

Region: Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America, South and Central America, USA - West, USA - South, United States, Global, Nevada, Texas

Languages: English

View Resource

Teaching Materials

Positives

The descriptions provide information about the drivers of urban expansion, mitigating factors, and/or some solutions to the challenges faced in different locations.
Seeing these changes from satellite imagery is a powerful way to introduce students to a number of related topics.

Additional Prerequisites

If you are using wireless Internet or a slower connection, it may take longer for the images to load.
Pausing the progression of images allows students to compare the images from different years and identify all of the changes.

Differentiation

Students could use this resource as a whole-class activity, in groups, or as an individual activity.
Connections with social studies, history, or economics classes could be made when discussing how the distribution of people within a country and/or the overall population size of a country might affect various factors such as trade, education, living standards, pollution, or inequality.
Other resources related to this topic include this lesson plan on analyzing land changes over time, this interactive map of the world's air pollution, and this video on what would happen if we cut down all of a city's trees.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

Scientist Reviewed

This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.

Learn about our review process →

Related Teaching Resources

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.

Cookie Preferences

Urban Expansion

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources