Research On Northern Economic Zone Of The Tianshan Mountains Urbanization In Xinjiang Based On DMSP/OLS Light Date

Urbanization study is one of urban development study contemporary ,which is the focus of attention by the community. There are great significance in getting rapidly and timely urbanization information,and providing basis information to scientific decision-making for government departments, both for urban development and urbanization studies, or interaction between human and natural ecosystems.This study used DMSP/OLS night-time non-radiometric calibration light intensity data, and socio-economic statistical data, used Remote Sensing image analysis and GIS spatial analysis methods, the Northern Economic Zone of Tianshan Mountains as the study area, with 1992-2003 as the study period, respectively, set the threshold in every city one by one as the research object and for information extraction of urbanization, the urbanization process and its driving mechanism.Using DMSP/OLS night-time average light intensity images, to construct an indicator reflecting comprehensive level of regional urbanization—light index CNLI (compounded night light index), to evaluate the urbanization level of Northern Economic Zone of Tianshan Mountains and to analyze their patial and temporal changing characteristics. Making a correlation analysis between urbanization level composite index based on statistical data and CNLI, results showed that they were significantly related. CNLI overcome the subjectivity, uncertainty, delay, cost and cycle length which exist in traditional methods, provided a new,simple, objective, reliable and feasible indicator for fast monitoring in a wider regional urbanization level.Extract spatial information and estimate the overall level of urbanization in the region based on DMSP / OLS light data, results showed that:(1) 1992-2003,the area of Northern Economic Zone of Tianshan Montains was increasing sustainly,the amount of spots reduced and then promoted,but kept still.(2) Among 11 counties of Northern Economic zone of the Tianshan Mountains, Shihezi had the highest level of urbanization; followed Kuitun, Urumqi, Karamay, Miquan; relatively low overall level of urbanization, cities and counties have Wusu City, Hutubi County, Manas County.(3) 1992-2003 Northern Economic zone of the Tianshan Mountains acceleration of urbanization with cities and counties were positive, indicating in 2003 than in 1992, the comprehensive level of urbanization, cities and counties are in the accelerated growth phase, in which the fastest-growing one was Shihezi ,relatively fast with Kuitun City, Karamay, Urumqi, relatively slow with Miquan, Wusu.(4) 1992 -1998, city extension area was only 7km2 and urbanization rate and acceleration were relatively large, indicating in the six years ,as Northern Economic zone of the Tianshan Mountains urban vertical direction development was more significant ;1998-2003, the city extension area was 27km2, urbanization rate also showed in the five years , Northern Economic zone of the Tianshan Mountains urbanization developments mainly showed horizontal development.DMSP/OLS night-time light intensity data has great advantage and potential in extracting urbanization information in a large regional scale, is one of best data sources to reflect and monitor human activities or urbanization intensity, it is necessary to continue further development of relevant data, and further study of its application to improve application level, and practical value of this data products.