The Relative Timing of Population Growth and Land Use Change—A Case Study of North Taiwan from 1990 to 2015

Urban expansion is a form of land cover and use change (LCLUC) that occurs globally, population growth can be driver driven by LCLUC. Determining the cause–effect relationship challenging because temporal resolution data limited decadal censuses for most countries. The purpose this study to explore relative timing between based on case northern Taiwan from 1990 2015. A unique dataset was acquired annually-updated governmental-based registers maintained at district level, land-use (Residential, Employment, Transportation Corridor categories) were derived dense time series Landsat imagery. Linear regression applied understand general their changes. strongest relationships found areal extent Residential use, change. Lagged correlation analysis implemented identifying lag Most districts exhibited Employment prior growth, especially in periphery metropolitan areas. Conversely, core areas expansion. deemed drivers change, so modeled with ordinary least square geographically weighted both synchronized manners. Estimated accurate when geographic differences lags urban incorporated.