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This study aims to demonstrate the relationships between residential development and the spatio-temporal dynamics of land use patterns in the case of the southern coast of Turkey (Mersin). This coast has witnessed extensive tourism development that destroyed fertile agricultural lands and natural vegetation since the early 1980 s. We analyzed the impacts of this development using several class-level pattern metrics. These include the percentage of landscape (PL), largest patch index (LPI), edge density (ED), patch density (PD), fractal dimension (FRAC) and shape (SHAPE). The eastern part of the study area consists of an alluvial plain, while the western part has undulated terrain with dense vegetation and limestone outcrops. The region has urban character on the coast with many multistory apartment blocks used for residential purposes. However, inland has a rural character with agricultural areas and …