Estimation of Economic Parameters in Yangtze River Delta Using NPP-VIIRS and Landsat8 Data

In view of traditional survey method cannot accurately and efficiently reveal the economic parameter spatial and temporal information, a new nighttime light index-based VIIRS surface reflectance data is proposed to simulate economic parameters. The built-up area was used for spatial scope of economic parameter spatial processing, acquired by the method of enhanced built-up and bareness index based on Landsat8 remote sensing data. Gross regional domestic product, secondary industry, tertiary industry, and gross industrial production at municipal scale were selected, and regression models were established between total nighttime light index and economic parameter. Then the nighttime light value using the VIIRS surface reflectance data and the economic parameter were compared and analyzed. The light-economic sensitive parameters at night were selected, and the grid data of sensitive economic parameters at 0.5 km × 0.5 km spatial scale were obtained by inversion. The research results show that the use of surface reflectance data to process the light values can improve the accuracy of the simulated economic parameter model. The average value of R2 was increased from 0.798 to 0.888, and the average error has decreased from 0.516 to 0.354. GDP and tertiary industry are sensitive parameters, as the economic parameter rapidly increased and formed stretch area around the Shanghai, Nanjing, and other first-tier cities. This result is consistent with the actual situation. Meantime, the GDP density map and the tertiary industry density map can reflect the economic distribution details and macro distribution characteristics of the Yangtze River Delta, which can provide some basis for the study of the economic strategy and sustainable development of the Yangtze River Delta.