Cokriging areal interpolation for estimating economic activity using night-time light satellite data

Abstract

There is a strong correlation between economic activity, which can be measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the night-time light emissions data. Gross Domestic product is usually available in large aggregate units and therefore the disaggregation has become a necessity in urban and regional development. The night-time light data obtained by Defence Meterological Satellite Program - Operational Linescan System (DMSP-OLS) are supplementary information for measuring GDP in disaggregated units. Cokriging areal interplation was used in this present study in order to disaggregate the GDP contained in 51 Greek administrative divisions NUTS 3. The final disaggregated units are the 1035 municipal divisions. The supplementary night-time light emission data were used as additional variable (proxy variable) to cokriging method. The results showed high performance because cokriging incorporates the spatial aurocorrelation and cross-correlation between the examined variables. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.