1. The new degree of urbanisation classification
Developed by DG AGRI and DG REGIO

2. What is degree of urbanisation?
Classification of all LAU2s into three categories:
Thinly populated
Intermediate density
Densely populated
It is used primarily in the Labour Force Survey (LFS), but also in other surveys such as Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) and IT
It is based on LAU2 density and contiguity
In use for 20 years

5. Why a revision?
Distortions due to the large variation in area of local administrative units (LAU2)
Revised urban-rural typology is based on a grid based definition of rural areas which is more reliable than OECD or LFS approach
Harmonising spatial concepts
Rural (OECD) and thinly populated areas (LFS)
Densely populated areas (LFS) and cities (UA)

6. Previously: 3 conflicting definitions
Urban-Rural Typology
Degree of urbanisation
Urban Audit
Rural LAU2
≠ Thinly populated
Intermediate density
Densely populated ≠
Cities

7. New Proposal: Harmonised definition based on population grid
Revised Degree of urbanisaton
Thinly populated  Rural LAU2
Intermediate density
Densely populated  Urban Audit Cities

8. New Proposal: 3 Criteria 3 Classes
Type of Area
Criteria
Thinly populated
> 50% population in rural grid cells
Intermediate density
<50% population in rural grid cells and <50% population in high-density grid cells
Densely populated
> 50% population in high-density grid cells

9. Definitions Rural grid cells = cells outside urban clusters
Urban clusters = contiguous (including diagonals) cells with a density of at least 300 inhab/km2 and a minimum of inhabitants
Urban Centre = contiguous (without diagonals and with gap filling) cells with a density of at least 1500 inhab/km2 and a minimum of inhabitants

10. Labour Force Survey Working Group
Has approved the new methodology in June
Will publish an explanatory note in 2011
In Q1 of 2012 LFS will use the new classification
SILC will use it in 2013 and maybe 2012

11. Population grid
Units: 1 km² grid cells (future reference for all population grids)
Registered population in NO, CH, HR, AT, FI, SE, DK and NL
Elsewhere disaggregation grid v5 (JRC)
FR will has used their own population grid

15. Linking to the urban political level

16. Linking to the urban political level

17. Discussion with NSIs Almost all NSIs have replied.
No proposal yet: IT, RO and EL!!
Ongoing: BE, PT
Harmonisation not yet possible: CH
Other countries: no population grid available

18. Current overview of cities

19. Next steps Conclude discussions on the classification
Present to the Director meeting of social statistics
Present in the IT Working Group meeting
OECD will publish a paper on the city definition
Commission may also publish a paper highlighting the new classification