The spatiotemporal dimension of population change in Ireland: visualisation of growth and shrinkage in Irish Electoral Divisions (1986–2016)

Population shrinkage has gained attention from academics and policymakers in recent years, due to the long-term implications the phenomenon has for public service delivery and the viability of urban and rural communities. We visualise the socio-temporal evolution of population shrinkage and growth, utilising a spatially rectified dataset containing population data from seven Census of Population covering the 1986–2016 period in the Republic of Ireland. Spatial changes in population distribution are visualised in a map that classifies small administrative units using a spatial typology distinguishing between those experiencing population growth or shrinkage, across the 30-year period. The temporal dimensions of these developments are considered in a sequence of inset maps that apply the same typology to identify the intercensal changes. Overall, the map facilitates the visual communication of long-run population trends, the identification of areas experiencing limited or no growth, and indicates the relative consistency of these trends over time.

近年来，人口收缩现象因其对公共服务供给以及城乡社区存续能力的长期影响，日益受到学界与政策制定者的关注。本研究借助一套空间校正数据集（spatially rectified dataset），该数据集涵盖爱尔兰共和国1986年至2016年间七次人口普查（Census of Population）的人口统计数据，以此可视化展示人口收缩与增长的社会时空演化历程。研究通过一幅主地图可视化呈现人口分布的空间变化：该地图采用空间类型学（spatial typology）对小型行政单元进行分类，区分出1986至2016这30年间经历人口增长与人口收缩的区域。此外，本研究还通过一系列附图（inset maps）分析此类变化的时间维度：这些附图采用相同的空间类型学，用以识别各两次人口普查间隔期内的人口变化情况。总体而言，本套可视化成果可有效实现长期人口趋势的可视化传播，辅助识别增长乏力或零增长区域，并能体现此类趋势随时间推移的相对稳定性。