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New Insights into Urbanization Based on Global Mapping and Analysis of Human Settlements in the Rural–Urban Continuum

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  • Xiyu Li

    (Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Le Yu

    (Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    Ministry of Education Ecological Field Station for East Asian Migratory Birds, Beijing 100084, China
    Tsinghua University (Department of Earth System Science)-Xi’an Institute of Surveying and Mapping Joint Research Center for Next-Generation Smart Mapping, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Xin Chen

    (Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    Institute of Loess Plateau, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China)

Abstract

The clear boundary between urban and rural areas is gradually disappearing, and urban and rural areas are two poles of a gradient with many continuous human settlements in between, which is a concept known as the rural–urban continuum. Little is known about the distribution and change trajectories of the various types in the rural–urban continuum across the globe. Therefore, using global land-cover data (FROM-GLC Plus) and global population data (Worldpop) based on the decision-making tree method, this study proposed a method and classification system for global rural–urban continuum mapping and produced the mapping results on a global scale in the Google Earth Engine platform. With the expansion of built-up areas and the increase in population, the global human settlements follow the pattern that develops from wildland to villages (isolated—sparse—dense), and then to towns (sparse—dense), and finally to urban areas (edge—center). From a regional perspective, there are some obvious differences: Africa is dominated by sparse villages; Asia has the highest proportion of densely clustered towns; the proportion of dense villages in Europe is high. Rural–urban continuum mapping and analysis provide a database and new insights into urbanization and differences between urban and rural areas around the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiyu Li & Le Yu & Xin Chen, 2023. "New Insights into Urbanization Based on Global Mapping and Analysis of Human Settlements in the Rural–Urban Continuum," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-23, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:8:p:1607-:d:1217409
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    References listed on IDEAS

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