Abstract
The present study develops an Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) with the aim to assess changes over time in the distribution of selected uses of land in two Mediterranean urban regions (Rome and Athens) with different morphology and economic functions. The study uses global and local Moran’s indexes of spatial autocorrelation to describe the land-use structure observed in the two cities in mid-1970s and late-2000s, and debates on the divergent contribution of compact growth and scattered urban expansion to changes in land use. The analysis identifies fringe landscapes as a key target for urban containment policies in sprawling cities.
Highlights
IntroductionThe urban–rural gradient is traditionally defined as an ordering of sites based on the predominance of buildings and infrastructure, coupled with dense (or semi-dense) population, in contrast with sites having sparse infrastructure, dispersed settlements, and low population density
The urban–rural gradient is traditionally defined as an ordering of sites based on the predominance of buildings and infrastructure, coupled with dense population, in contrast with sites having sparse infrastructure, dispersed settlements, and low population density
The two investigated regions correspond to the urban area of Rome and Athens, two Mediterranean cities characterized by different settlement morphology and an economic structure mainly centered on commerce, tourism, public sector, and construction industry
Summary
The urban–rural gradient is traditionally defined as an ordering of sites based on the predominance of buildings and infrastructure, coupled with dense (or semi-dense) population, in contrast with sites having sparse infrastructure, dispersed settlements, and low population density. Measurements of physical, biological, and environmental variables or socioeconomic indicators dealing with consumption, finance, transportation, dependence on agriculture, or management of natural resources have been used to contrast urban and rural sites (e.g., Hahs & McDonnell, 2006). These measures usually include a gradient based on the distance from the urban center or a population-density-based gradient or a combination of both variables (Sinclair, 1967). The spatial distribution of land uses along this gradient definitely reflects the complexity of human–landscape interactions (Serra, Pons, & Saurí, 2008)
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