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Menschen zählen aus dem All. Möglichkeiten und Grenzen von Satellitendaten zur Abschätzung der Bevölkerungsentwicklung und des Gebäudebestandes in deutschen Städten

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Wurm
  • Hannes Taubenböck
  • Jan Goebel
  • Stefan Dech
  • Gert G. Wagner

Abstract

Is it possible to count the earth’s population from outer space? The answer is yes, in urban areas it is possible. However, this can only be done in an indirect manner: by identifying physical objects in the urban landscape in earth observation data and using these to estimate the number of inhabitants. Since the approach is indirect, data protection and the individual right to privacy are fully guaranteed. The data obtained using this method fill a gap, given that municipal population registers do not contain accurate population counts. However, remote sensing technology is not able to provide cadastral information. Nevertheless, as this paper shows, satellite imagery is capable of providing the basis for population estimates for small-scale areas. And, of course, remote sensing data also can be used to estimate the building stock. It would make sense to produce such estimates during the intervals between each building stock census, which is usually conducted every ten years with the population census. Remote sensing data cannot replace a population census, but can enrich the analytical power of population census data.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Wurm & Hannes Taubenböck & Jan Goebel & Stefan Dech & Gert G. Wagner, 2010. "Menschen zählen aus dem All. Möglichkeiten und Grenzen von Satellitendaten zur Abschätzung der Bevölkerungsentwicklung und des Gebäudebestandes in deutschen Städten," RatSWD Working Papers 155, German Data Forum (RatSWD).
    • Handle: RePEc:rsw:rswwps:rswwps155
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. de la Grandville,Olivier, 2009. "Economic Growth," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521898010, December.
    2. Xi Chen & William D. Nordhaus, 2010. "The Value of Luminosity Data as a Proxy for Economic Statistics," Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers 1766, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University.
    3. J. Vernon Henderson & Adam Storeygard & David N. Weil, 2012. "Measuring Economic Growth from Outer Space," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 102(2), pages 994-1028, April.
    4. de la Grandville,Olivier, 2009. "Economic Growth," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521725200, December.
    5. Stephen E. Fienberg & Kenneth Prewitt, 2010. "Save your census," Nature, Nature, vol. 466(7310), pages 1043-1043, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Remote Sensing; spatial disaggregation; population estimation; census;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns

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