Long-term urban land use data in Maputo, Mozambique: A comprehensive dataset covering five decades (1964-2001)

Rapid urban change and expansion pose significant challenges in the Global South, and Maputo, Mozambique, is no exception to this phenomenon. Among the multifaceted dimensions of urban transformations, land use stands out as a key factor in urban planning. The implications on environmental aspects, availability of land for public services, and overall quality of life make understanding these issues crucial. This paper aims to address the afore mentioned challenges through a two-fold approach. Firstly, it provides open and free access to urban land use maps of Maputo city spanning five decades in a Geographic Information System (GIS) format, enabling the comprehensive study of the city's transformation over time. Secondly, it presents a detailed and comparable classification and nomenclature of urban land use, ensuring consistency and comparability in research and planning endeavors. The land use maps were created using image interpretation techniques, incorporating remote sensing data such as aerial photographs and high-resolution satellite images, as well as fieldwork and ancillary data. By combining these diverse sources, a comprehensive and accurate representation of Maputo's urban land use shapes was achieved. This study contributes to the understanding of urban dynamics and their impacts on various aspects of city life in Maputo. The open access data and detailed classification presented here serve as valuable resources for researchers, planners, and policymakers, facilitating informed decision-making, sustainable development, and effective urban management in Maputo and beyond.