Fractal relationship, population density and human development in Latin America: Approach for sustainable urban planning

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between fractal dimension, population density and the Human Development Index –HDI– in Latin American countries. It uses the “FractalDT” software and satellite image data to calculate the fractal dimension of each country, thus assessing the complexity of its urban systems. The purpose is to understand how this complexity is related to human development and population density, analyzing the correlation through the Pearson coefficient. The results underline the diversity of urban structures in Latin America: countries with a greater fractal dimension tend to be more compact and organized, while those with a smaller fractal dimension show greater irregularity. This approach seeks to provide a comprehensive perspective of urban systems in the region and promote effective strategies for sustainable urban planning.