How to Define a New Metropolitan Area? The Case of Quito, Ecuador, and Contributions for Urban Planning

The Metropolitan Area of Quito has experienced exponential growth in recent decades, especially peri-urban sectors. literature described this process as “urban sprawl”, a phenomenon that is changing the landscape by increasing land consumption and forming conurbations with nearest populated centers. This article proposes new, broader more complex metropolitan structure for metropolis Quito, linking neighboring conurbed areas to form new area based on case study District (DMQ). identification considers interpretation satellite images classification uses, highlighting main urban located outside, but contiguous administrative limit DMQ, over period 19 years (1998 2017), demographics analysis, particularly densification peripheral close DMQ border mobility links population, goods services between human settlements allows configuration corridors integration territory. findings evaluated are need evaluate planning strategies aimed at sustainable development.