Urbanization unveiled: A correlation study between PSA level of urbanization and VIIRS nighttime lights

Authors

Jonabel Eleanor B. Baldres National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
Rene L. Principe, Jr National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
Maricor N. Soriano National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman

Abstract

In this study, we employed the 2015 and 2020 annual composite Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Day and Night Band (VIIRS-DNB) nighttime lights data and observed its first and second-order correlation with respect to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) level of urbanization data, which is only released every five years. The analysis revealed a significant correlation between the intensity of nighttime lights and the level of urbanization at the regional and provincial levels. Hence, nighttime lights can be used as a good proxy measure for urbanization level that is available at finer spatial and monthly temporal scales. A timely and granular urbanization data can aid policymakers and urban planners expedite achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 11 which aims to mitigate the negative effects of unplanned and rapid urbanization, most particularly in developing countries such as the Philippines.

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Issue

2023: Proceedings of the 41st Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Conference

Article ID

SPP-2023-1D-04

Section

Complex Systems and Data Analytics

Published

2023-06-29

How to Cite

[1]

JEB Baldres, RL Principe, and MN Soriano, Urbanization unveiled: A correlation study between PSA level of urbanization and VIIRS nighttime lights, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 41, SPP-2023-1D-04 (2023). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2023-1D-04.