The Dynamic Analysis between Urban Nighttime Economy and Urbanization Using the DMSP/OLS Nighttime Light Data in China from 1992 to 2012

Abstract

Along with rapid urbanization, nighttime activities from places, such as restaurants, pubs and bars, and theatres, have created enormous economic and social benefits. The nighttime economy (NTE), as a newly developed social phenomenon, has been used to describe economic activities at night. However, few studies have investigated urban nighttime economy and its relation to urbanization from nighttime light (NTL) data perspective. To fill this gap, this study proposed a nighttime light economy index (NLEI). The correlation analysis was performed between the NLEI and economic indicators at both the city and provincial levels in China from 1992 to 2012 using the DMSP/OLS (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program/Operational Linescan System) time series data. Results revealed that correlations between the NLEI and all kinds of economic indicators were statistically significant. It was observed that both the urbanization and nighttime economy levels increased greatly from 1992 to 2012 in China. Cities and provinces in east China displayed relatively higher annual growth rates of NLEI compared to those in southwest and northwest China. Based on the quadrant map of urbanization and nighttime economy levels, most of the provincial capitals and provinces in east China were in the advanced coordination pattern while those in west China in the low-level coordination pattern.

Vegetation Response to Urban Landscape Spatial Pattern Change in the Yangtze River Delta, China

“…To explore the relationship between NTL intensity and the urbanization level of the YRDUA, the average nighttime light intensity index (ALI) and composite urbanization index were defined in this study. ALI has been proven to be an effective indicator to estimate regional light intensity at the county, city, and provincial scales [45,46]. When each prefecture level city is selected as the study area, the ALI is calculated as follows:…”

Urban Nighttime Leisure Space Mapping with Nighttime Light Images and POI Data

“…Leisure is defined as activity engaged in during free time [1,2]; according to the Athens Charter, in addition to dwelling, work, transportation, and leisure representing one of the four basic functions of a city [3][4][5]. After the reform and opening up program was enacted in 1978, the acceleration of urbanization throughout China has triggered rapid growth of the national economy [6][7][8]. Unfortunately, the proportion of urban nighttime leisure space (UNLS) did not keep pace with the urban growth rate, which led to a decline in the quality of life [9][10][11][12].…”

“…NTL data record the NTL intensity at the Earth's surface, thereby reflecting the magnitude of human activities [43,44]. In addition, NTL images have certain advantages in monitoring the UNLS distribution because of their large spatial coverage, high temporal resolution, and wide availability [8]. In addition, the NTL data is widely used to study urban expansion and relevant sociodemographic activities across a variety of spatial scales, such as population density [45,46], urban extent mapping [47,48], energy consumption [49,50], environmental changes [51,52], and socioeconomic activities [24,53].…”

Exploring Spatial and Temporal Connection Patterns among the Districts in Chongqing Based on Highway Passenger Flow

“…Traditional research has analyzed the relationship between the spatial pattern of urban connections and factors such as population size, economy, and urban administrative level [17][18][19]. As a source of objective and high-precision data, nighttime light remote sensing data has received widespread attention from scholars [20][21][22][23]. This form of light sensing is sensitive to the faint light generated at night, and nighttime lighting is closely related to human activities.…”