This indicator identifies and characterizes urban areas within the Amazon region that have significant urban characteristics with more than 5,000 but do not reach the 50,000 inhabitant threshold for major cities. These settlements represent important intermediate nodes in the Amazonian urban hierarchy, serving as local commercial and administrative centers. 

Methodology 

Using the DEGURBA classification system, these urban areas are identified through grid-based analysis where settlements are formed by contiguous grid cells with a density of at least 300 inhabitants per km² and a total population between 5,000 and 49,999 inhabitants. The methodology ensures that urban areas have at least 5,000 inhabitants and are composed of contiguous grid cells, of which at least one must have a minimum density of 300 inhabitants per km². 

Sources and References: 

• GHSL (Global Human Settlement Layer) for population data (1975-2020 in 5-year periods) 

• GADM for administrative boundaries at ADM0, ADM1, ADM2, and ADM3 levels 

• OpenStreetMap (OSM) for spatial reference 

• Amazon region boundaries from IDB Amazon Forever Program 

Process 

The classification process involves creating 1km x 1km population grids, applying density thresholds, identifying contiguous urban clusters, and filtering by population size criteria. Settlements crossing national borders are included in their entirety when geographically located at the Amazon frontier. At the borders of the Amazon, the settlement requires a minimum intersection area of 0.3 km² for assignment to the amazon area. 

Key Attributes: 

Settlement name (unique identifier) 

• Total population 2020 

• Area in km² (calculated based on a 1 km x 1 km grid) 

• Population density (inhabitants per km²) 

• Classification: "Urban area" (non-city) 

References: