Relations between urbanization and environment: an overview for the brazilian states

The discussion about urban problems and environmental changes faced by the population, especially in large cities, is very current and it suggests further research on the issues. Thus, the main aim of this paper is to analyze the effects on three dimensions (socioeconomic, demographic and environmental), which are associated with urbanization process. With database of Brazilian states, this paper applies a set of methodological techniques: a) Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and b) Cluster Analysis. The main results indicate the differences among the Brazilian States, including in infrastructural and environmental aspects. Moreover, the results also show a tendency of expanding peripheral urban areas in the States, which could increase the environmental impacts in the long run