The Use of Digital Tools for Spatial Analysis in Population Geography

Abstract

Digital tools, and in particular GIS, have enormously increased the possibilities for analysis in historical geography. In this article, we shall explain how these tools can be used to study the evolution of population density over a significant period. The territorial units used will be municipalities, as they allow detailed territorial analysis. However, research projects that take municipalities as their points of reference tend to be complex because their territorial boundaries have often undergone numerous changes over the course of modern history. The same has occurred, to a greater or lesser degree, in all of the countries in Europe (Bennett, 1989). The countries that have had the most stable municipal boundaries over the past 150 years include France, Italy, and Spain, though the modifications to their boundaries have also been notable. However, like all relevant challenges, these changes also offer us new opportunities, if we are able to cope with them. In this particular case, the challenge will be to achieve the territorial homogenization of the historical municipal series. In other words, when the municipal limits have changed, it will be necessary to adapt the data from the old municipal territories to the new ones. This exercise will have a number of applications. In this article, we present just one of these: the possibility of detecting areas and periods in which, over the course of history, there has been population growth, decline, or stagnation. This will serve as a relevant indicator, or proxy, for organizing research in other fields. For example, in the case of economic history, it is clear that variations in the density of population provide clues for interpreting the territorial distribution of economic activity. We also understand that it will be possible to apply our research about Spain to other countries and that this will make it possible to evaluate the interest and results that we can expect from the homogenized work. We think that, despite its interest, this type of study has, until now, been very rare on account of the methodological difficulties involved. However, these new digital tools in the field of historical GIS, as spatial aggregation and Moran I techniques, have helped to provide solutions to assume this challenge.

Using Digital Tools for Monitoring and Analysing Spatial Variations of Population Distribution in the City of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2004-2020

“…Most high-density districts are in the central area within the second ring road; however, recently, districts outside the second ring road are also becoming densely populated. Variations in the population densities of Al-Madinah's zones or districts are due to the geographical distribution of different economic sectors (Marti-Henneberg et al, 2016). In 2020, population density increased in some districts between the first and third ring roads due to the relocation of Saudis from the CBD to these districts.…”

“…Variations in population densities provide guidelines for interpreting the geographical distribution of economic activities (Marti-Henneberg et al, 2016). Therefore, the concentration of businesses catering to visitors in the CBD has created an imbalance in the distribution of services and facilities between the CBD and the periphery of Al-Madinah.…”

“…Long et al (2001) proposed a GIS-based measurement of urban population density for China, India, and the USA, providing insight into the ecological impacts of urbanisation. Marti-Henneberg et al (2016) used digital tools to investigate population density trends in Spain, finding that the population was unevenly distributed across the nation. Yagoub (2006) examined the population distribution in Al Ain city in UAE using GIS and RS: the average difference between the population recorded in 2001 and the estimated population from images was 5% and that the population density decreased further from the CBD.…”

“…This study addresses this gap, being (to the best of our knowledge) the first attempt to monitor and analyse the spatial variations in Al-Madinah's population distribution by integrating demographic and spatial data using GIS and RS. The built-up area was calculated for each district in the city, providing a much more comprehensive overview of its population distribution and possibilities for detailed geographical analysis (Marti-Henneberg et al, 2016). The methodology involved combining census data with spatial data to visualise Al-Madinah's population distribution.…”