2025/05/20 by Mateo Neira, Neira, Mateo, Valentina Marín +3
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Environmental Science · #FOS: Physical sciences #Land Use and Ecosystem Services #Physics and Society (physics.soc-ph) #Regional Economics and Spatial Analysis
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2505.14937
openalex publication_date 2025/05/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/19 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We present a novel analytical framework to examine socio-spatial segregation across multiple spatial scales, explicitly leveraging information theory and percolation theory. This framework emphasizes the interplay between regional connectivity and population distribution, which are critical for understanding how spatial inequalities arise and persist in urban regions. Employing the Generalised Jensen-Shannon Divergence (GJSD), this method identifies regions characterized by significant segregation and low connectivity, providing actionable insights for targeted urban interventions. Using Ecuador as a case study, we demonstrate how segregation patterns manifest differently at city, regional, and national scales, underscoring the critical role of multiscalarity in understanding urban inequalities and guiding scale-sensitive policies. This approach not only advances the methodology for studying socio-spatial segregation but also contributes to the broader field by highlighting the importance of considering multiscalar perspectives and connectivity in urban systems.