Spatial Metrics: The Static and Dynamic Perspectives

Spatial metrics are quantitative measures for evaluating the physical characteristics of geographical features, such as urban settlements and structures (Reis, 2015; Reis et al., 2015). Just like other quantitative methods of spatial analysis, spatial metrics have garnered a growing interest of international research during the past two decades (Clifton et al., 2008; Liu and Yang, 2015; Schwarz, 2010). This resurgence of quantitative urban studies is attributed to several factors, such as growing concerns about sustainable development and the negative environmental consequences of urban sprawl (Huang et al., 2007; Kaza, 2013; Lord et al., 2015; Tian et al., 2014; Torrens, 2008), increasing emphasis on evidence-based policy formulation (Geertman, 2015), developments in geographical information systems and information technologies, and rising quality and availability of spatially referenced data, notably with the recent advancements in remote sensing-based methods (Clifton et al., 2008; Herold et al., 2003a; Huang et al., 2007).