Multi-Scale Measurement of Regional Inequality in Mainland China during 2005–2010 Using DMSP/OLS Night Light Imagery and Population Density Grid Data

Abstract

This study used the Night Light Development Index (NLDI) to measure the regional inequality of public services in Mainland China at multiple scales. The NLDI was extracted based on a Gini Coefficient approach to measure the spatial differences of population distribution and night light distribution. Population data were derived from the dataset of China's population density grid, and night light data were acquired from satellite imagery. In the multi-scale analysis, we calculated the NLDI for China as a whole, eight 13470The same pattern was observed from the provincial and prefectural analysis, suggesting that public services in Mainland China became more equal within the five-year period. A regression analysis indicated that provincial and prefectural regions with more public services per capita and higher population density had more equal public services.

Urbanization Process Monitoring in Northwest China based on DMSP/OLS Nighttime Light Data

“…Nighttime light signal can be enhanced thanks to its unique photomultiplier tube (PMT), so it was designed to observe the changes of night clouds at beginning, and then it is also used to monitor the fire points of cities, fish boats, gas combustions, etc. At present, the DMSP/OLS nighttime light data have been widely applied in various fields, such as economic evaluation [5,6,7], population estimation [8,9], and research of urbanization expansion [10,11,12]. And their results show that the nighttime light data is a good embodiment for human activities and the comprehensive effects, that is to say, it can better character the urban socio-economic conditions, population density, population growth rate, urban expansion, etc.…”

Special Issue Editorial: Earth Observation and Geoinformation Technologies for Sustainable Development

“…Xu et al [18] conduct a study using the Night Light Development Index (NLDI) to measure the regional inequality of public services in Mainland China at multiple scales. The NLDI was extracted based on a Gini Coefficient approach to measure the spatial differences of population distribution and night light distribution.…”

Regional inequalities in comprehensive development in China from 1992 to 2013: Comparative estimation based on statistical and DMSP/OLS data

“…For instance, a night light development index (NLDI), which is a form of development index, was proposed based on population and NSL data (Elvidge, Baugh, Anderson, Sutton, & Ghosh, 2012). Subsequently, the NLDI index was employed to measure the regional inequality of public services at multiple scales (Xu, Yang, Li, Jin, & Li, 2015). These studies utilized the detailed spatial information of comprehensive development provided by NSL data and drew some valuable conclusions.…”