DETECTING LONG TERM URBAN EVOLUTION THROUGH GIS AND REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUES APPLIED TO MAPS AND SATELLITE IMAGES: THE CASE OF GRADO AND LIGNANO ON THE UPPER ADRIATIC SEA

In this paper we use different cartographic sources and satellite imageRY in order to detect the urban evolution of two important tourist centres on the northern Adriatic sea: Grado and Lignano. These coastal towns are two of the main summer attractions in Friuli - Venezia Giulia Region. They are both well known in Italy and abroad because of their large and well-equipped beaches. Using GIS and Remote sensing techniques we tried to outline the territorial development trend of the two centres. In fact, especially during the last 45 years, they have experienced a strong and fast growth, due to the considerable tourist flows they have been involved in.