Land-Use Changes in an Island Urban Setting: A Retrospective Study of Funchal, Madeira (1990–2018)

Madeira Island, as the principal territory of the Madeira Archipelago, requires the adoption of more precise and adaptive planning strategies to address its regional challenges. Funchal’s steep topography, high population density, and expansion of impermeable surfaces increase risks of flash floods and soil erosion, while urban growth pressures threaten agricultural and forested areas. Given the urgency of this matter in the context of sustainability, planning strategies must be founded on and strengthened by a range of studies covering diverse themes to comprehensively understand the underlying issue. Utilizing tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), this research facilitates an examination of variations and patterns in land use and occupancy within the municipality of Funchal on Madeira Island. The study offers a comprehensive insight into the stagnation of the region’s urban fabric and, conversely, the evolving dynamics of agricultural cultivation within the county. Findings highlight a decline in broad-leaved and coniferous forests, replaced by urban areas and transitional woodland shrub, reflecting both anthropogenic pressures and natural regeneration. The study underscores the alarming scenario of native vegetation loss attributed to human activities, reinforcing the need for more assertive monitoring by regional government entities to safeguard and preserve these landscapes, environments, and ecosystems.