 Remote sensing imagery can be used to monitor and map changes in urban areas due to population growth and urbanization. However, current indices have limitations in distinguishing between built-up and bare land. A new index, called the Enhanced Built-Up and Bareness Index, EBBI, uses three different wavelength bands, near-infrared, short-wave-infrared, and thermal-infrared, to accurately identify built-up and bare land areas. The EBBI was tested on images from Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, and found to be more accurate than five other indices in identifying built-up and bare land areas. This article was authored by Aweyan Arthana, ABD Raman S. Sayaker, Aweyan Sandy Adniana, and others.