From Constraints to Urban Growth: Satellite-Based Monitoring of Guayaquil's Urban Expansion with Sentinel-2

Abstract. Urban expansion is a global phenomenon that poses significant challenges for territorial planning and environmental sustainability. In Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest and most populous city, accelerated urban growth has been recorded, particularly in peri-urban areas. This study analyzes the transformation of Guayaquil's urban boundaries between 2016 and 2024, aiming to identify peri-urban zones and their basic infrastructure using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). For this purpose, the analysis integrates Sentinel-2 satellite imagery from 2016, 2020, and 2024 with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and official data on electricity, potable water, and sanitary sewer systems. The spatial assessment focused on areas beyond the official urban perimeter, highlighting Monte Sinaí as a significant growth zone. Results show an increase of 697.03 hectares of urbanized land during the study period, mainly concentrated in Monte Sinaí, Villa Bonita, and Costa Sol. However, 57.63% of properties in Monte Sinaí lack access to basic services such as electricity, drinking water, or sewage systems, indicating shortcomings in planning and infrastructure provision. The research demonstrates that urban expansion in Guayaquil is heterogeneous and unregulated, with a pronounced gap in basic service coverage. This research contributes meaningful insights that may be used to implement sustainable and equitable strategies for urban development.