This study investigates the growth of mining activities in Benguerir, one of Morocco's largest and fastest-growing phosphate mines and a global leader in phosphate production, using remote sensing and ancillary data. The study examines spatio-temporal changes in land use and land cover (LULC) within this phosphate mining city to analyze the impacts of mining on agricultural areas, built-up lands, and water bodies over time. A series of images from 1984 to 2021 were processed in to assess patterns of change within the city. Five LULC maps were generated using supervised classification with the maximum likelihood method, providing detailed insights into both urban and non-urban transformations during the study period. Classification quality was evaluated using accuracy assessment and the Kappa index. Additionally, multi-spectral indices, including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), and Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), were simulated and analyzed across four intervals. The results reveal significant variations in LULC and ecological indices over time, which are associated with mining activities, water stress, urban sprawl, and socio-economic changes in the region.These results provide a valuable means for decision-makers and planners to effectively manage the spaces and lands in the future.

To effectively manage the sustainable urban development of cities, it is crucial to quickly understand the geological and geotechnical attributes of the underground. Carrying out such studies entails significant investments and focused reconnaissance efforts, which might not align seamlessly with large-scale territorial planning initiatives within a city accommodating more than 3 million inhabitants, like Casablanca in Morocco. Additionally, various specific investigations have been conducted by municipal authorities in recent times. The primary aim of this study is to furnish city managers and planners with a tool for informed decision-making, enabling them to explore the geological and geotechnical properties of soil foundations using Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and geostatistics. This database, initially intended for utilization by developers and construction engineers, stands to economize a substantial amount of time and resources. During the urban planning of cities and prior to determining land usage (five- or seven-floor structures), comprehending the mechanical traits (bearing capacity, water levels, etc.) of the soil is crucial. To this end, geological and geotechnical maps, along with a collection of 100 surveys, were gathered and incorporated into a GIS system. These diverse data sources converged to reveal that the underlying composition of the surveyed area comprises silts, calcarenites, marls, graywackes, and siltstones. These formations are attributed to the Middle Cambrian and the Holocene epochs. The resultant geotechnical findings were integrated into the GIS and subjected to interpolation using ordinary kriging. This procedure yielded two distinct maps: one illustrating bearing capacity and the other depicting the substratum. The bearing capacity of the soil in the study zone is rated as moderate, fluctuating between two and four bars. The depth of the foundation remains relatively shallow, ranging from 0.8 m to 4.5 m. The outcomes are highly promising, affirming that the soil in Casablanca boasts commendable geotechnical attributes capable of enduring substantial loads and stresses. Consequently, redirecting future urban planning in the region toward vertical expansion seems judicious, safeguarding Casablanca’s remaining green spaces and the small agricultural belt. The results of this work help to better plan the urban development of the city of Casablanca in a smarter way, thus preserving space, agriculture, and the environment while promoting sustainability. In addition, the databases and maps created through this paper aim for a balanced financial management of city expenditures in urban planning.