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Wider urban zones: use of topology and nighttime satellite images for delimiting urban areas

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  • Andrea Spinosa

    (Sapienza Università di Roma)

Abstract

In the literature on the definition of urban areas, the methodological approaches are divided into formalist (aggregation by density thresholds) and functionalist (aggregation by commuting quotas). This paper proposes a mixed approach, in which the territorial density threshold from the lower-level administrative unit is combined with the brightness of nighttime satellite imagery, intended as a proxy variable for the functional links. The objective is to attain a method for the delimitation of urban areas, to be used by various States and Regions across the world in an iterative procedure, for the delimitation of urban areas as connected topological spaces. This represents an independent method, compared to the various standards adopted by national and regional statistics bureaus, which allows comparing the infrastructural, economic, and social data of different cities in the world. Such cities are hence described in terms of the “real” dimension of the urban areas, partially correcting the bias related to the adoption of administrative perimeters as a “fact” when local authorities make decisions regarding them.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Spinosa, 2022. "Wider urban zones: use of topology and nighttime satellite images for delimiting urban areas," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 42(2), pages 141-159, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jahrfr:v:42:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s10037-022-00169-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10037-022-00169-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pierre Hansen & Brigitte Jaumard & Christophe Meyer & Bruno Simeone & Valeria Doring, 2003. "Maximum Split Clustering Under Connectivity Constraints," Journal of Classification, Springer;The Classification Society, vol. 20(2), pages 143-180, September.
    2. Sukkoo Kim, 2007. "Changes In The Nature Of Urban Spatial Structure In The United States, 1890–2000," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(2), pages 273-287, May.
    3. Gilles Duranton, 2015. "Delineating Metropolitan Areas: Measuring Spatial Labour Market Networks Through Commuting Patterns," Advances in Japanese Business and Economics, in: Tsutomu Watanabe & Iichiro Uesugi & Arito Ono (ed.), The Economics of Interfirm Networks, edition 127, chapter 6, pages 107-133, Springer.
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