Illuminating Inequality: Spatial disparities in nighttime lighting in Palestinian towns in Israel

This study uses night-light satellite imagery to analyse spatial disparities within and between Palestinian towns in Israel, comparing areas developed informally by residents to those with formal state-led planning. Different historical planning policies within these towns have resulted in various patterns of informality, which we analysed by classifying them into seven typologies based on location (north or south), formal planning history, and legal status. We quantified nighttime brightness for each town using the new Chinese SDGSAT-1 satellite, which offers panchromatic images at 10 m. We examined nighttime brightness levels across typologies, considering both built-up density and proximity to major roads. Findings reveal that formal planning does not guarantee better lighting; some informal areas were brighter than state-planned areas; unrecognised Bedouin villages had minimal lighting, while long-established towns near major roads were more illuminated. These results highlight how historical development patterns, planning regimes, and uneven access to infrastructure shape spatial inequalities within and between Palestinian communities in Israel, demonstrating the value of nighttime light data in capturing these dynamics.