Mathematical predictive models for population estimation in urban areas using space products and GIS technology

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Land Information Systems (LIS) play a major role in planning, monitoring, analyzing, and managing earth resources, both on national and international levels. Uraija Geographic Information System (UGIS) is a photogrammetric-based multi-purpose urban geographic information system developed by the author in another study for Riyadh city in Saudi Arabia. In this study, four predictive mathematical models for population estimation in urban areas are developed for the UGIS using space products. The models are developed based on a sample of more than 1500 observations using the probability concepts to compute the modelsʹ constants. The social factors believed to be indispensable to any predictive model are considered in this study. The models tend to make the UGIS operational. Finally, these models are tested and found to be accurate for census purposes in urban areas in Saudi Arabia.