Where does a city end? The answer changes the way we understand growth, housing and everyday journeys. An administrative boundary is useful for governance, but it may not capture the full geography of daily life. Homes, workplaces and transport connections can span several jurisdictions.
In this illustrative series,
88is the highest value, for Core.
In this illustrative series,
34is the lowest value, for Wider region.
Source: illustrative prototype dataset. Illustrative activity index.
Where does a city end?
An administrative boundary is useful for governance, but it may not capture the full geography of daily life. Homes, workplaces and transport connections can span several jurisdictions.
Looking beyond the municipal boundary
Illustrative activity index
Source: Illustrative prototype dataset
Which measures reveal urban growth?
Population, built-up area and commuting flows each reveal a different aspect of urban change. Reading them together helps distinguish denser settlement from a wider physical footprint.
The same values, ordered from highest to lowest
Illustrative activity index
Source: Illustrative prototype dataset
How do we compare cities fairly?
A city-region and a municipal corporation should not be ranked as if they were the same unit. State the geography first, then the reference year and the measure. The comparison becomes much easier to trust.