Intra-settlement Redistribution of Daytime and Nighttime Population

This study analyses the spatial–temporal differences between daytime and nighttime populations in Serbia’s largest urban centres—Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš—using data from the 2022 Population Census and 2018 Urban Atlas land-use classifications. The Diurnal Population Change Index (Idpc) was applied to identify areas with predominantly work-oriented or residential functions. Results show that Belgrade attracts nearly 147,000 inbound commuters daily, accounting for 18.5% of all commuting workers in Serbia, while Novi Sad and Niš exert strong but regionally confined influences. The greatest differences between day and night population densities occur in continuous urban fabric and industrial–commercial zones, highlighting the dominant role of central business areas. Integration of census, functional, and geospatial data allowed for a more precise interpretation of functional structures and commuting patterns. The study also demonstrated the analytical potential of combining Urban Atlas classifications with 3D visualisation for identifying daytime “hotspots” and communicating urban dynamics. The findings underline the importance of incorporating temporary population models into urban planning, transport management, and emergency preparedness, and provide a methodological basis for further research on temporary populations and commuting in the context of spatial and functional urban analysis.