Applying the Degree of Urbanisation A Methodological Manual to Define Cities, Towns and Rural Areas for International Comparisons

Foreword
1. Introduction
	References
2. The legal and policy framework
	References
3. Rationale and advantages
	3.1 Captures the urban-rural continuum in harmonised manner
		3.2 Uses the same population size and density thresholds across the globe
		3.3 Starts from a population grid to reduce the bias generated by the different shapes and sizes of spatial units
		3.4 Measures population clusters directly
		3.5 Defines areas to monitor access to services, not areas defined by access to services
		3.6 Proposes a cost-effective approach
		References
4. How the principles of official statistics and classifications are fulfilled
	References and further information
5. Constructing a population grid
	5.1 A grid based on the aggregation of point data
		5.2 A grid based on the disaggregation of population data
		5.3 Extrapolating a population grid based on a partial micro-census
		5.4 Alternative and emerging data sources for creating population grids
		References
6. Methodology for applying level 1 of the degree of urbanisation classification
	6.1 Terminology
		6.2 Short description
		6.3 Grid cell classification
		6.4 Classifying small spatial units
		6.5 Changes over time that impact on the classification given to each small spatial unit
		References
7. Extensions to level 1 of the classification
	7.1 Level 2 of the degree of urbanisation
		7.2 Defining functional urban areas
		7.3 Other possible extensions to the methodology: remoteness and land cover
		References
8. Which spatial units to use and adjustments to address geographic issues
	8.1 Which small spatial units to use?
		8.2 Adjustments to address specific geographic issues for the degree of urbanisation and functional urban area classifications
		References
9. Selected indicators for sustainable development goals by degree of urbanisation and functional urban area
	References
10. Tools and training
	10.1 Tools
		10.2 Training
		10.3 Online resources for the degree of urbanisation classification
		References
11. Conclusions