The process of urban sprawl of Chilean metropolis and médium-size cities have been
analyzed using models and statistical tools provided by Geographical Information
Systems, like multiple regression and logistic analyses, Markov Chains and Celular
Automats. Environmental impacts of urbanization, such as urban heat, biomass and soil
moisture islands have been measured integrating air photographs, satellite images and
digital cartography. As a consequence, important observed levels of environmental
degradation and social segregation are urgently requiring environmental planning and
management for sustainable development of large and intermediate cities.