Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/335857 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Citation: 
[Journal:] Economic Themes [ISSN:] 2217-3668 [Volume:] 63 [Issue:] 1 [Year:] 2025 [Pages:] 23-43
Publisher: 
Paradigm Publishing Services, Warsaw
Abstract: 
Although the Modified Areal Unit Problem (MAUP) is well-documented in spatial analysis, its effects on urban policy development and decision-making are yet unknown. So, we decided to do this work to critically investigate how MAUP influences urban planning at different levels, impacting analytical results, governance, and spatial policy. The arbitrary division of geographical units still introduces bias and uncertainty in decision-making procedures, even with growing computer capacity and extensive application of urban analytics. By using a semi-structured literature review, we studied current studies on MAUP in urban analytics and planning, therefore highlighting the importance of methodological techniques, difficulties, and mitigating methods. Our results show a fragmented corpus of research where methodological developments usually have no direct relevance for policy-making. We also underline the need for ex-ante and ex-post assessments to evaluate MAUP's influence on urban administration. Additionally, we emphasize the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure a more holistic approach. We aim to raise awareness among urban designers, legislators, and researchers by bridging this research gap, thereby supporting more open, strong, and context-sensitive spatial decision-making systems.
Subjects: 
Modified areal unit problem
MAUP
urban analytics
urban decision making
urban policies
spatial analysis
JEL: 
R12
R14
R58
C63
C81
H77
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by-nc-nd Logo
Document Type: 
Article

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.