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Urban evolution, a primary question of Urban Geography, has always been limited by the lack of continuous spatial-temporal data. Recently, this limitation has been overcome by the processing in Geographic Information System of sequential snapshots acquired by Remote Sensing. Therefore, we use the Landsat archive to reveal the (dis)similarities of the urbanization process (rhythm and modes) experienced by the municipalities of Braga and Guimarães between 1984 and 2016. The results show that, more than temporal (When?) or quantitatively (How much?), the urbanization process in the two municipalities presents spatial disparities (Where? and How?). The Landscape Expansion Index (LEI) highlights that more than 50% of urban growth occurs in contiguity with the pre-existing fabric. Infilling constitutes the second most important mode in Braga, but not in Guimarães, where this position is occupied by outlying growth. Consequently, in Braga the urban perimeter captures better the urbanization process than in Guimarães. Thus, LEI can make an important contribution to the understanding of diffuse urbanization, a territorial model constantly called banal, and that - due to such an assertion - has been ignored in relation to other problem-areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era of intense urbanisation, green spaces have become elements of ever greater importance for the quality of the urban environment. How do citizens perceive these spaces? Which behavioural patterns do they exhibit? Which key advantages and limitations do they most often associate with these spaces? This article presents the results of a study undertaken in the city of Bragança, which aimed at assessing how the city's resident population perceives and uses its public green spaces. Among other conclusions, it was found: i) that the various social groups exhibit different use patterns; ii) that these use patterns are strongly characterised by seasonality; iii) that age is a significant determinant of the degree of preference for, alternatively, built facilities and natural elements; and iv) that the city's inhabitants consider the local green spaces to be of generally good quality, and generally acknowledge most of their social and environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]