Urban area temporal changing analysis and modeling in Chiang Mai, Thailand

The objective of this research was to study the change temporal of urban community by using case studies of Chiang Mai municipality and the surrounding area with the technique application of Satellite Remote Sensing data analysis as the study tool in order to understand the existing issues more obvious and then use the basic information for supporting the infrastructure for person who requires developing the structure or urban community pattern in the future. The result of the study indicated that the central business district and residential area has tripled in size between 1989 and 2011. Specially, after year 2000 urban sprawl in Chiang Mai municipality caused large scale encroachment on high potential agricultural lands. The study indicated that the land allocation system in the Chiang Mai municipality overrode the landuse plan, which caused the loss of agricultural land. The residential area became a central business district. The recommended policy options might support decision makers to resolve further loss of agricultural land and plantation.