FUZZY APPROACH OF RURAL AND URBAN AREAS DELIMITATION MODELING IN GIS

References: 12th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference, www.sgem.org, SGEM2012 Conference Proceedings/ ISSN 1314-2704, June 17-23, 2012, Vol. 2, 1049 - 1056 pp

ABSTRACT
There has been a substantial change in population’s movement in recent years due to
suburbanization trends in Central and Eastern Europe. And thus, distinction (in many
geographical aspects) between urban and rural municipalities became less obvious. But
it is needed to delimitate such municipalities due to redistribution of finance support for
rural area municipality development. These days it is not significantly stated how to
determine which municipality belongs to urban or rural area. And there is no uniform
definition of rural areas in order to meet recent geo-demographic trends.
Current methods of delimitation rural area municipalities are insufficient. Theirs abrupt
and strict classification does not reflect real situation and is driven by simple rule
(according to total population in municipality). Fuzzy sets and logic approach serves as
a robust tool in rural or urban area delimitation modeling in GIS. It provides an effective
way how to model reality using vagueness and uncertainty instead of strict Boolean
logic.
This paper shows using Mamdani fuzzy inference system for solving the delimitation
problem. Some results were reached by authors in previous research so far, but usage of
above mentioned algorithms is completely new to the problem and brought more
accurate results (in terms of better reality description). Moreover, new and actual input
features were added into the model, such as socio-economic indicators. A proper
visualization of the results via map is also made for clear interpretation by users.

Keywords: GIS, Fuzzy sets, Geocomputation, Rural/Urban Area Delimitation