Application of Spatial Big Data to Mobility: Study of Flows from the Inter-Autonomous Strip of Andalusia to the Most Populated Cities in Spain at NUTS-III Scale

Abstract Understanding mobility is fundamental for the planning and development of a territory. The main objective of this article is to carry out an analysis of the flows of population movements that occur between the Andalusian cross-border strip and the most populated Spanish cities at provincial level (NUTS-III). To do this, the first step was to determine, by means of a network analysis, the functional inter-autonomic fringe of Andalusia with its three neighbouring autonomous communities. The data used came from the mobility study with Spatial Big Data disseminated by the Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana (MITMA) of the Spanish government on a monthly basis since January 2022. The 47 municipalities selected for this research are the most populated in each of the Spanish peninsular provinces, which coincide with the provincial capitals, except on two occasions: Jerez de la Frontera (province of Cadiz) and Vigo (province of Pontevedra). The results show a clear North–South division, with Madrid and Barcelona as the points of greatest attraction in the northern half; and more movements in the southern half towards cities close to the study area. In conclusion, geographical proximity is crucial in the mobility flows between this inter-autonomic strip, as an area of great economic periphery, and the main Spanish cities on the Iberian Peninsula. In any case, this methodology can be valuable for understanding mobility patterns and guiding appropriate spatial planning policies that contribute to improving transport efficiency at the state level.