DATASET

GHS-DUC R2019A - GHS Degree of Urbanisation Classification (2015, 2000, 1990, 1975), R2019A - OBSOLETE RELEASE

Collection: GHSL : Global Human Settlement Layer 

Description

This dataset contains the Global Degree of Urbanisation Classification of adminstrative units delineated by the Global ADMinistrative layer version 3.6 (GADM36) according to the application stage 2 of the Degree of Urbanisation. The classification is based on the Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) global datasets GHS R2019: the settlement classification GHS-SMOD (GHS_SMOD_POP_GLOBE_R2019A), population grid GHS-POP (GHS_POP_MT_GLOBE_R2019A), and built-up area GHS-BUILT (GHS_BUILT_LDSMT_GLOBE_R2018A) layers for target years 1975, 1990, 2000 and 2015.

This dataset contains a package composed by one excel table, a summary table gathering global summary statistics and by countries and territories in GADM3.6, and 24 CSV files, one per GADM level (from 0 to 5) and epoch (1975-1990-2000-2015), with all administrative units classified according to the Degree of Urbanisation

The spatial delineation of GADM 3.6 administrative units is available at GADM official website (accessible through the link below). Please select the the whole world shapefile as six separate layers (one for each level of subdivision/aggregation). The vector layers can be used to join each classification table (csv) with the actual spatial units.

Contact

Email
jrc-ghsl-data (at) ec.europa.eu

Contributors

How to cite

Schiavina, Marcello; Melchiorri, Michele; Freire, Sergio (2021): GHS-DUC R2019A - GHS Degree of Urbanisation Classification (2015, 2000, 1990, 1975), R2019A - OBSOLETE RELEASE. European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) [Dataset] doi: 10.2905/ED8E8E11-62C3-4895-A7B9-5EF851F112ED PID: http://data.europa.eu/89h/ed8e8e11-62c3-4895-a7b9-5ef851f112ed

Keywords

Big Data Degree of Urbanisation DEGURBA GADM 3.6 GHS DUC GHS SMOD GHS-DUC GHS-SMOD Global GHSL

Data access

GHS_STAT_DUCMT_GLOBE_R2019A
URL 
  • GHS statistics on Degree of Urbanisation Classification, classification of all administrative units delineated by the Global ADMinistrative layer version 3.6 (GADM36) according to the stage 2 of the Degree of Urbanisation

    for target years 1975, 1990, 2000 and 2015. The compressed ZIP file contain XLS and CSV files and short documentation.

GADM3.6 layer download page
Access conditions
No limitations 
URL 
  • Original GADM3.6 shapefile dataset Download the six separate layers (one for each level of subdivision/aggregation) to join the GHS-DUC tables with spatial units.

Publications

Publication 2021
Applying the Degree of Urbanisation to the globe: A new harmonised definition reveals a different picture of global urbanisation
Dijkstra, L., Florczyk, A., Carneiro Freire, S.M., Kemper, T., Melchiorri, M., Pesaresi, M. and Schiavina, M., Applying the Degree of Urbanisation to the globe: A new harmonised definition reveals a different picture of global urbanisation, JOURNAL OF URBAN ECONOMICS, ISSN 0094-1190 (online), 125, 2021, p. 103312, JRC122903.
  • ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE, SAN DIEGO, USA
Publication page 
  • Abstract

    The Degree of Urbanisation is a new definition of cities, towns and semi-dense areas, and rural areas endorsed by the UN Statistical Commission. The urban population share according to the Degree of Urbanisation is similar to the one based on national definitions in the Americas,Europe and Oceania, but considerably higher in Africa and Asia. An empirical analysis and a comparison of concepts suggest that towns are likely to be classified as rural areas in Africa and Asia and as urban areas in other parts of the world. The paper shows that cities cover only a small share of land, but this share doubled over the past forty years, as has the number of cities. Although cities have expanded rapidly, their population grew even faster leading to higher densities. The paper tests two classic urban facts: 1) the cities and towns as defined by the Degree of Urbanisation closely follow Zipf’s law 2) the population shares in urban areas, cities and especially metropolitan areas are positively and significantly correlated with the level of economic development. Lastly, the sensitivity of the classification of population and land are tested by varying the population size and density thresholds as well using a different global population grid.

Publication 2019
GHSL Data Package 2019
Florczyk, A., Corban, C., Ehrlich, D., Carneiro Freire, S., Kemper, T., Maffenini, L., Melchiorri, M., Pesaresi, M., Politis, P., Schiavina, M., Sabo, F. and Zanchetta, L., GHSL Data Package 2019, EUR 29788 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2019, ISBN 978-92-76-13186-1 (online),978-92-76-13187-8 (print), doi:10.2760/290498 (online),10.2760/0726 (print), JRC117104.
  • Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Publication page 
  • Abstract

    The Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) produces new global spatial information, evidence-based analytics and knowledge describing the human presence on the planet Earth. The GHSL operates in a fully open and free data and methods access policy, building the knowledge supporting the definition, the public discussion and the implementation of European policies and the international frameworks as the 2030 Development Agenda and the related thematic agreements. The GHSL supports the GEO Human Planet Initiative (HPI) that is committed to developing a new generation of measurements and information products providing new scientific evidence and a comprehensive understanding of the human presence on the planet and that can support global policy processes with agreed, actionable and goal-driven metrics. The Human Planet Initiative relies on a core set of partners committed in coordinating the production of the global settlement spatial baseline data. One of the core partners is the European Commission, Directorate General Joint Research Centre, Global Human Settlement Layer project. The Global Human Settlement Layer project produces global spatial information, evidence-based analytics, and knowledge describing the human presence in the planet. This document describes the public release of the GHSL Data Package 2019 (GHS P2019).

Publication
Applying the Degree of Urbanisation — A methodological manual to define cities, towns and rural areas for international comparisons — 2021 edition
European Commission, and Statistical Office of the European Union, 2021. Applying the Degree of Urbanisation — A methodological manual to define cities, towns and rural areas for international comparisons — 2021 edition Publications Office of the European Union, 2021, ISBN 978-92-76-20306-3 doi: 10.2785/706535
URL 

Spatial coverage

Type Value
GML
<gml:Polygon xmlns:gml="http://www.opengis.net/gml">  <gml:outerBoundaryIs>    <gml:LinearRing>      <gml:coordinates>179.99,84 -179.99,84 -179.99,-55.99 179.99,-55.99 179.99,84</gml:coordinates>    </gml:LinearRing>  </gml:outerBoundaryIs></gml:Polygon>
GML
<gml:Polygon xmlns:gml="http://www.opengis.net/gml/3.2">  <gml:exterior>    <gml:LinearRing>      <gml:posList>179.99 84 -179.99 84 -179.99 -55.99 179.99 -55.99 179.99 84</gml:posList>    </gml:LinearRing>  </gml:exterior></gml:Polygon>
WKT
POLYGON ((179.99 84, -179.99 84, -179.99 -55.99, 179.99 -55.99, 179.99 84))

Temporal coverage

From date To date
1975-01-01 2015-12-31

Additional information

Published by
European Commission, Joint Research Centre
Created date
2021-10-12
Modified date
2022-06-24
Issued date
2021-10-17
Landing page
http://ghsl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ 
Language(s)
English
Data theme(s)
Environment, International issues, Regions and cities, Population and society, Science and technology
Update frequency
irregular
Identifier
http://data.europa.eu/89h/ed8e8e11-62c3-4895-a7b9-5ef851f112ed
Popularity
16 Mar 2024: 1 visits