Evaluating the Efficiency of Contextual Neural Gas Networks in Clustering of Isfahan's Census Blocks Based on Sustainable Urban Development Variables

Clustering is a vital technique for revealing structures and discerning groupings within extensive datasets, particularly in spatial data analysis, where the primary objective is to segregate data into clusters with shared characteristics. Artificial neural networks are established tools for clustering large and multidimensional datasets. This research focuses on clustering census block data, encompassing 21 socio-economic variables and access to services relevant to sustainable urban development. The study employs the Neural Gas (NG) network without spatial parameters. Then, it introduces the geographic coordinates of census blocks as spatial parameters, comparing the outcomes of the two approaches (NG & CNG). The NG algorithm, a prevalent choice for clustering high-dimensional data, and its spatially enhanced version, the Contextual Neural Gas (CNG) algorithm, were employed in clustering Isfahan city's census blocks. Results indicated a notable distinction in the clusters derived from the implementation of the NG and CNG algorithms. Clustering with the NG algorithm yielded heterogeneous clusters, whereas the CNG algorithm produced homogeneous clusters benefiting from spatial parameters. Evaluation of clustering quality, performed by calculating the average Silhouette coefficient for census blocks, showed the superior performance of the CNG algorithm, attaining a silhouette coefficient of 0.29 compared to the NG algorithm's -0.02. This research affirmed the positive impact of spatial parameters on creating homogeneous clusters within the urban environment. Leveraging the CNG algorithm and extracting homogenous areas based on sustainable development variables contributed to streamlined urban planning and management. The clustering of census blocks using variables related to sustainable urban development and a location-based approach using the CNG algorithm is one of the innovations of this research