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Dynamics and Spatial Distribution of Global Nighttime Lights

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  • Nicola Pestalozzi
  • Peter Cauwels
  • Didier Sornette

Abstract

Using open source data, we observe the fascinating dynamics of nighttime light. Following a global economic regime shift, the planetary center of light can be seen moving eastwards at a pace of about 60 km per year. Introducing spatial light Gini coefficients, we find a universal pattern of human settlements across different countries and see a global centralization of light. Observing 160 different countries we document the expansion of developing countries, the growth of new agglomerations, the regression in countries suffering from demographic decline and the success of light pollution abatement programs in western countries.

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  • Nicola Pestalozzi & Peter Cauwels & Didier Sornette, 2013. "Dynamics and Spatial Distribution of Global Nighttime Lights," Papers 1303.2901, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:1303.2901
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. J. Vernon Henderson & Adam Storeygard & David N. Weil, 2012. "Measuring Economic Growth from Outer Space," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 102(2), pages 994-1028, April.
    2. Zhao, Naizhuo & Currit, Nate & Samson, Eric, 2011. "Net primary production and gross domestic product in China derived from satellite imagery," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(5), pages 921-928, March.
    3. John Agnew & Thomas W Gillespie & Jorge Gonzalez & Brian Min, 2008. "Baghdad Nights: Evaluating the US Military ‘Surge’ Using Nighttime Light Signatures," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 40(10), pages 2285-2295, October.
    4. Doll, Christopher N.H. & Muller, Jan-Peter & Morley, Jeremy G., 2006. "Mapping regional economic activity from night-time light satellite imagery," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 57(1), pages 75-92, April.
    5. Nils B. Weidmann & Doreen Kuse & Kristian Skrede Gleditsch, 2010. "The Geography of the International System: The CShapes Dataset," International Interactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(1), pages 86-106, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Guhuai Han & Tao Zhou & Yuanheng Sun & Shoujie Zhu, 2022. "The relationship between night-time light and socioeconomic factors in China and India," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(1), pages 1-22, January.
    2. Tilottama Ghosh & Sharolyn J. Anderson & Christopher D. Elvidge & Paul C. Sutton, 2013. "Using Nighttime Satellite Imagery as a Proxy Measure of Human Well-Being," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(12), pages 1-32, November.

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