Spatial quantification and pattern analysis of urban sustainability based on a subjectively weighted indicator model: A case study in the city of Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Abstract

This study is purposed to explore whether urban sustainability can be measured and its patterns can be extracted from a spatial perspective. Based on integrating multiple data sources (GIS data, remote sensing data, census data, and surveyed data) into one geodatabase, this study spatially quantified a subjectively weighted urban sustainability indicator (USI) model by calculating ten indices in the city of Saskatoon (SK, Canada) as a case study. Both global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses were conducted to demonstrate how urban sustainability was spatially distributed across neighborhoods and what patterns (random, dispersed, or clustered) could be statistically identified. Results find evident disparity of urban sustainability existing in the west and east sides of Saskatoon city in 2006, especially in respect to the environmental and material well-being. Results also reveal that clustered patterns were statistically characterized in both inner-city neighborhoods and the suburban areas. Diverse historic and socioeconomic factors were discussed to explain the very findings. This work proves the possibility of applying geomatic approaches to spatially detect urban sustainability patterns, through which helpful insights can be visually provided for urban planners and administrators to minimize disparities and balance development in future policy making and implementation.