Urban sprawl and fragmentation in Latin America: A dynamic quantification and characterization of spatial patterns

► Urban sprawl and fragmentation patterns were quantified in ten Latin-American cities. ► Net densities are still high; however there is a decreasing trend in six cities. ► Pervasive and increasing fragmentation trend during the twenty years period. ► Big differences in land consumption rates and densities. ► Higher levels of sprawl and fragmentation are driven by GDP and motorization rates.