Redefinition of the Greek electoral districts through the application of a region-building algorithm

Yorgos Photis ()

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: The main purpose of this paper is the formulation of a methodological approach for the definition of homogenous spatial clusters, taking into account both geographical and descriptive characteristics. The proposed methodology, is substantiated by SPiRAL (SPatial Integration and Redistricting ALgorithm), a constrained-based spatial clustering algorithm, whose successive steps focus on the analysis of the characteristics of the areas being integrated, the designation of the spatial clusters and the validity of a joining criterion. We applied the methodological approach and used SPiRAL to solve a realistic electoral redistricting problem. Namely, the redefinition of the electoral districts of the Prefecture of Lakonia in Greece. The results demonstrate an improved layout of the study area’s electoral map as far as the problem’s criteria and constraints are concerned (adjacency, population and size), justifying in this respect the perspectives and potential of our approach in the analysis and confrontation of similar problems.

Keywords: Spatial clustering; GIS; constraint-based algorithm; electoral districts; Greece (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D72 O2 R53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012-10, Revised 2012-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm, nep-cmp, nep-geo and nep-ure
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Published in European Journal of Geography 2.3(2012): pp. 72-83

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pra:mprapa:42398

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