Verbeek, Thomas and Tempels, Barbara (2016) Measuring fragmentation of open space in urbanised Flanders : an evaluation of four methods. Belgeo (2). doi:10.4000/belgeo.17164 ISSN 1377-2368.

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Abstract

The open space in Flanders, the northern part of Belgium, can hardly be seen as really open. From the Middle Ages onward this area has been known for its spread out development pattern, which has even strengthened in recent decades. Especially the residential ribbon development and the omnipresent infrastructure are widely recognised. These developments have led to an intense fragmentation of open space. In this paper we present two new methods to analyse and quantify this fragmentation of open space from a spatial planning perspective, and compare them with two existing methods. This comparative analysis evaluates the different methods and connects them to different definitions of fragmentation. The average patch size method is more appropriate to describe general fragmentation if the focus is on major line infrastructures, whereas the density of fragmenting structures method matches with the interpretation of fragmentation as spatial heterogeneity. The two described methods to detect enclosed open space fragments as signs of fragmentation give different results depending on the data and methods used. The ribbon method however is more appropriate to detect open space fragments under threat of privatisation, since it works with a stricter definition of continuous ribbon development. All four methods are relevant for Flemish spatial planning policy, as they indicate where actions are needed to safeguard open space from further urbanisation tendencies. Furthermore, they can support a differentiated spatial policy and add to the scientific basis of the debate on alternative interpretations of Flemish open space.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Land use -- Flanders (Belgium), Land use -- Planning, Landscape architecture -- Geographic information systems, Spatial analysis (Statistics), Flanders (Belgium)
Journal or Publication Title:	Belgeo
Publisher:	Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
ISSN:	1377-2368
Official Date:	31 March 2016
Dates:	Date Event 31 March 2016 Published
Number:	2
DOI:	10.4000/belgeo.17164
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)
Date of first compliant deposit:	19 September 2017
Date of first compliant Open Access:	19 September 2017
Related URLs:	Publisher

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