Open Access

ARTICLE

Historical Transportation GIS (1880–2020) for Decision Making in Sustainable Development Goals

Bárbara Polo-Martín^*

Department of Geography, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

* Corresponding Author: Bárbara Polo-Martín. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Innovative Applications and Developments in Geomatics Technology)

Revue Internationale de Géomatique 2026, 35, 53-78. https://doi.org/10.32604/rig.2026.071069

Received 30 July 2025; Accepted 07 January 2026; Issue published 05 February 2026

Abstract

The expansion of transportation networks, including railways and ports, has been a major force driving urban growth, mobility, and socio-economic transformations since the Industrial Revolution. This study utilizes Historical Geographic Information Systems to examine the global evolution of transportation infrastructure, focusing on railways and ports, from 1880 to 2020. The dataset enables a multidimensional analysis of how transportation systems have shaped cities, influenced regional development, and helped to make possible sustainability efforts. By offering insights into transport accessibility, land-use changes, and economic connectivity, the study provides a robust empirical foundation for understanding long-term infrastructure dynamics. While the dataset supports policy-relevant applications—particularly in relation to sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)-related targets—its primary contribution lies in the methodological framework and analytical potential it offers for future research. The integration of historical transport data into urban planning and decision-making processes can help design more resilient, inclusive, and efficient mobility systems, aligned with sustainable development principles.

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Keywords

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