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Using fractal dimensions for characterizing intra-urban diversity. The example of Brussels

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  • Isabelle Thomas
  • Marie-Laurence De Keersmaecker
  • Pierre Frankhauser

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to compare fractal-based parameters calculated by different fractal methods for urban built-up areas, and to link the observed spatial variations to variables commonly used in urban geography, urban economics or land use planning. Computations are performed on Brussels. Two fractal methods (correlation and dilation) are systematically applied for evaluating the fractal dimension of built-up surfaces; correlation is used to evaluate the fractal dimension of the borders (lines). Analyses show that while fractal dimension is ideal for distinguishing the morphology of Brussels, each estimation technique leads to slightly different results. Interesting associations are to be found between the fractal dimensions and rent, distance, income and planning rules. Despite its limitations, fractal analysis seems to be a promising tool for describing the morphology of the city and for simulating its genesis and planning. The model is robust: it replicates the urban spatial regularities and patterns, and could hence fruitfully be integrated into intra urban simulation processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabelle Thomas & Marie-Laurence De Keersmaecker & Pierre Frankhauser, 2003. "Using fractal dimensions for characterizing intra-urban diversity. The example of Brussels," ERSA conference papers ersa03p116, European Regional Science Association.
  • Handle: RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa03p116
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Claire Dujardin & Isabelle Thomas & Henry Tulkens, 2007. "Quelles frontières pour Bruxelles ? Une mise à jour," Reflets et perspectives de la vie économique, De Boeck Université, vol. 0(2), pages 155-176.
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    2. Szymon Czyża & Karol Szuniewicz & Iwona Cieślak & Andrzej Biłozor & Tomasz Bajerowski, 2023. "An Analysis of the Spatial Development of European Cities Based on Their Geometry and the CORINE Land Cover (CLC) Database," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-21, January.
    3. Chen, Yanguang, 2013. "Fractal analytical approach of urban form based on spatial correlation function," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 47-60.
    4. Qindong Fan & Fengtian Du & Hu Li, 2020. "A Study of the Spatial Form of Maling Village, Henan, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-24, September.
    5. Zhonghao Zhang & Rui Xiao & Weixuan Yu & Yue Liu & Meng Lin & Meng Wang, 2017. "Characterizing Factors Associated with Built-Up Land Expansion in Urban and Non-Urban Areas from a Morphological Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-15, August.
    6. Stepinski, Tomasz F. & Dmowska, Anna, 2020. "Complexity in patterns of racial segregation," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    7. Blaudin de Thé, Camille & Carantino, Benjamin & Lafourcade, Miren, 2021. "The carbon ‘carprint’ of urbanization: New evidence from French cities," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    8. Saeedimoghaddam, Mahmoud & Stepinski, T.F. & Dmowska, Anna, 2020. "Rényi’s spectra of urban form for different modalities of input data," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    9. Jean Cavailhès & Pierre Frankhauser & Dominique Peeters & Isabelle Thomas, 2010. "Residential equilibrium in a multifractal metropolitan area," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 45(3), pages 681-704, December.
    10. Lafourcade, Miren & Blaudin de Thé, Camille & Carantino, Benjamin, 2018. "The Carbon `Carprint' of Suburbanization: New Evidence from French Cities," CEPR Discussion Papers 13086, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    11. Chen, Yanguang, 2012. "Fractal dimension evolution and spatial replacement dynamics of urban growth," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 45(2), pages 115-124.
    12. Isabelle Thomas & Pierre Frankhauser & Dominique Badariotti, 2012. "Comparing the fractality of European urban neighbourhoods: do national contexts matter?," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 189-208, April.
    13. Yanguang Chen & Jiejing Wang, 2013. "Multifractal Characterization of Urban Form and Growth: The Case of Beijing," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 40(5), pages 884-904, October.
    14. Chen, Yanguang & Lin, Jingyi, 2009. "Modeling the self-affine structure and optimization conditions of city systems using the idea from fractals," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 41(2), pages 615-629.
    15. Marianne Guérois & Denise Pumain, 2008. "Built-Up Encroachment and the Urban Field: A Comparison of Forty European Cities," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 40(9), pages 2186-2203, September.
    16. Adam, Arnaud & Finance, Olivier & Thomas, Isabelle, 2021. "Monitoring trucks to reveal Belgian geographical structures and dynamics: From GPS traces to spatial interactions," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    17. Chen, Yanguang, 2013. "A set of formulae on fractal dimension relations and its application to urban form," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 150-158.
    18. Chen, Yanguang & Zhou, Yixing, 2008. "Scaling laws and indications of self-organized criticality in urban systems," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 85-98.
    19. Jian Feng & Yanguang Chen, 2010. "Spatiotemporal Evolution of Urban Form and Land-Use Structure in Hangzhou, China: Evidence from Fractals," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 37(5), pages 838-856, October.
    20. Saeedimoghaddam, Mahmoud & Stepinski, T.F., 2021. "Multiplicative random cascade models of multifractal urban structures," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 569(C).
    21. Chen, Yanguang, 2022. "Normalizing and classifying shape indexes of cities by ideas from fractals," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    22. François Sémécurbe & Cécile Tannier & Stéphane G. Roux, 2019. "Applying two fractal methods to characterise the local and global deviations from scale invariance of built patterns throughout mainland France," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 271-293, June.
    23. Chong Zhao & Yu Li & Min Weng, 2021. "A Fractal Approach to Urban Boundary Delineation Based on Raster Land Use Maps: A Case of Shanghai, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-21, September.

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