The study looked at how cities in Romania have grown over time by analyzing changes in land cover and use. The researchers found that urban sprawl, which is when cities spread outwards, has significant impacts on the environment and economy. They used CORINE data to see where urban growth is happening, especially in areas with a booming real estate market. Even though urban areas make up a small part of the country, the growth is actually quite large when compared to the existing urban areas. This shows that urban growth in Romania is happening on a national scale, supporting the researchers' initial hypothesis.