A Real-Time, Multi-Method Approach to Functional Metropolitan Delimitation: The Case of Guatemala City

A different methodology has been developed for the functional delimitation of metropolitan areas, integrating the Gravity Model, Cluster Analysis, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), along with real-time data to improve spatial and temporal precision. In contrast to conventional approaches dependent on static administrative boundaries; this method captures the dynamic behavior of urban systems by incorporating variations in mobility patterns, land use, accessibility, and economics. The collaborative integration of spatial modeling techniques with live data streams, allowing the continuous adjustment of metropolitan boundaries in response to actual urban transformations is an important contribution of this methodology. This methodology was applied to the context of Guatemala City and the approach reveals zones of functional interconnection that extend beyond political jurisdictions, thus offering a more flexible and transferable framework for metropolitan areas undergoing rapid growth. As a result, the method represents an important advance in urban planning practices—providing an adaptive, data-driven, and context-sensitive tool.