Abstract: The evolution,spatial variation,and influencing factors of land use types in the greater Xi’an area have been insufficiently quantified.In order to provide a scientific basis for the optimal use and development of land in the greater Xi’an area,we analyzed and interpreted regional remote sensing images from the Landsat Thematic Mapper and Operational Land Imager from 1996,2006,and 2016.We adopted a land use transfer matrix and land use change model to conduct quantitative analysis of the spatial and temporal changes in land use and land cover since 1996.We supported these tools with GIS and RS technologies.We found that the area of developed land in the greater Xi’an area,Shaanxi Province,China has increased over the past 20 years,while cultivated and forested land has decreased.Grassland has increased slightly,while the water area has shrunk slightly.We noted frequent classification changes.The comprehensive degree of land use was high and constantly strengthened over time,and the land use structure tended to be balanced.We identified significant regional differences in land use change,and the transfer speeds of the centers of gravity of construction land,arable land,and forestry land shows the characteristics of the stages of speed before slowness.The driving factors of land use change in the greater Xi’an area were mainly policy factors.This paper proposes the land use revolution rule of the Great Xi’an area for the first time from the angle of time and space change.Our results should provide a scientific basis for land use optimization as the greater Xi’an area continues to develop and grow.

Key words: greater Xi’an area, type of land use, time and space change, land use change model