Urban Growth, Land-use Efficiency and Local Socioeconomic Context: A Comparative Analysis of 417 Metropolitan Regions in Europe

• DOI: 10.1007/s00267-018-1119-1
• Publication Date: 2018-11-17T11:32:43Z
• Authors: Emanuela Masini; Antonio Tomao; Anna Barbati; Piermaria Corona; Pere Serra; Luca Salvati
• Keywords: Urban Population; Urbanization; 0211 other engineering and technologies; 1. No poverty; 02 engineering and technology; 15. Life on land; Indicators; Multidimensional analysis; Socioeconomic context; Urban Atlas; Urban planning; Europe; 8. Economic growth; 11. Sustainability; Income; Europe, Eastern; Cities

The present study presents a multidimensional analysis of land-use efficiency in terms of per-capita built-up area over 417 metropolitan regions from 27 European countries. The study period encompasses two urban phases including economic expansion (2000-2007) and crisis (2008-2015). Multiple geographical gradients were identified as relevant predictors of land-use efficiency across Europe. The socioeconomic variables most associated with high land-use efficiency were per-capita disposable income (in Western, Atlantic and Central Europe) and income growth during 2000-2007 (in Eastern Europe), indicating that wealthier cities are characterized by higher land-use efficiency. Land-use efficiency increased in contexts with diversified urban landscapes.