Author: Computational Spatial Planning Laboratory, DTAP, UGM
Understanding urban spatial structures is fundamental for guiding equitable and sustainable urban development, particularly in cities undergoing rapid transformation in the Global South. Conventional approaches often depend on fixed administrative boundaries or outdated planning models, which inadequately reflect the fluid and evolving nature of urban spatial dynamics. These traditional frameworks tend to overlook the complex interactions and functional linkages that shape urban form and activity patterns, thereby limiting the effectiveness of urban planning and policy interventions. To address this gap, our study introduces an integrated geospatial methodology that combines diverse spatial datasets and advanced analytical techniques to delineate urban centers and sub-centers more accurately. By applying this approach to Magelang city and region in Central Java, Indonesia, the research highlights how combining multiple scales of spatial data—such as land use, transportation networks, and socio-economic indicators—can reveal nuanced spatial structures that traditional methods miss. This multi-scale analysis not only enhances the understanding of urban spatial functions but also provides a robust framework for planners and policymakers to identify emergent urban patterns and support more adaptive, context-sensitive urban development strategies.