Articles | Volume 18, issue 9
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-6995-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-6995-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Data description article
| 
23 Sep 2026
Data description article |
| 23 Sep 2026
| 23 Sep 2026
AGPC: an Annual 500 m Gridded Population (1990–2020) for China incorporating 3D building volume dynamics
Xiaocong Xu
Guangdong Key Laboratory for Urbanization and Geo-simulation, School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519082, China
National Engineering Research Centre of South China Sea Marine Biotechnology, Zhuhai, 519082, China
Shiyu He
Guangdong Key Laboratory for Urbanization and Geo-simulation, School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
Jinpei Ou
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Guangdong Key Laboratory for Urbanization and Geo-simulation, School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
Yan Zhou
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Guangdong Key Laboratory for Urbanization and Geo-simulation, School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
Xiaoping Liu
Guangdong Key Laboratory for Urbanization and Geo-simulation, School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519082, China
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Short summary
We developed annual population maps for mainland China from 1990 to 2020 at 500-metre detail. A key advance is the use of changing three-dimensional building volume, allowing the maps to distinguish densely populated areas with extensive high-rise development that conventional maps based mainly on two-dimensional built-up land may overlook. Combined with census and other data, the maps show high accuracy and can support studies of urban growth, environmental change, and disaster risk.
We developed annual population maps for mainland China from 1990 to 2020 at 500-metre detail. A...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint