Developing a socio-spatial index methodology for measuring cross-border mobility

Emrah Söylemez,Çiğdem Varol

doi:10.5937/gp24-23805

Abstract

The article proposes a cross-border mobility model for borderlands by developing a multivariate socio-spatial index. Existing methods of evaluating cross-border mobility tend to focus simply on physical and security dimensions of the state borders. However, because of the complex dynamics of relationships among the countries, a multidimensional approach including the economic, social, administrative and spatial relationships have to be considered holistically. The proposed cross-border mobility modeling and index methodology includes spatial and non-spatial multivariate data for assessing the permeability of state borders by using fuzzy logic methods. GIS techniques are used to combine economic, social, administrative and spatial dimensions of relationships for creating the multivariate socio-spatial index and to visualize the results. The results of the proposed methodology experienced for the borderlands of Turkey show that measuring the degree of cross-border mobility can improve the understanding of relationships among the states for developing more effective cross-border policies.

Highlights

Composite index construction is a technique to integrate large amounts of heterogeneous data in a compact way (Santeramo, 2016)
The proposed cross-border mobility model provides an integrated measurement of mobility levels for borderlands, and it provides separate information on mobility levels of economic, social, administrative and spatial aspects of the border region
The standardized approach derived from the combined index methodology reveals cross-border mobility levels of state border regions in an economic, social, administrative and spatial manner

Summary

Introduction

Composite index construction is a technique to integrate large amounts of heterogeneous data in a compact way (Santeramo, 2016). Cross-border mobility refers to a multivariate and multi-dimensional context including economic, social, administrative and spatial interactions in the border regions. It proposes a multivariate socio-spatial mobility index for borders integrating economic, social, administrative and spatial data.

Results

Conclusion