RP2021 N°7 - Spatial distribution of th e population in Luxembourg: from the sub-municipal level to the urban structure

At municipal level, despite very strong demographic growth (+25.7%), the major balances in the spatial distribution of the population have remained similar over the intercensal period. The largest centers attract a higher volume of population, and the capital even more so. Zooming in on a regular 1km² grid, densities generally increase everywhere. There are, however, growth differentials, particularly within the urbanised area in the south of the country. According to the OECD’s categorisation of 7 degrees of urbanisation applied per km², the conurbation of Luxembourg-City is expanding to the north and west, with urban centers emerging all around. On an even finer scale, the residential nuclei demonstrate the major importance (27% of the population) of the urban continuity formed from Luxembourg-City, and highlight high local densities (Esch-sur-Alzette nucleus or smaller nuclei in Kirchberg and Belval). Overall, the analysis reveals that growth is primarily a process of agglomeration and densification accompanied by centrifugal expansion close to existing centers. Despite the strong population growth, the analysis suggests that overly dispersed urban sprawl seems to be avoided.