Abstract

• Author: Sermi, F.; Iacus, S.; Vespe, M.; Santamaria, C.; Spyratos, S.; Tarchi, D.
• Pages: 2-2

Abstract

This work introduces the concept of data-driven Mobility Functional Areas (MFAs) as geo-

graphic zones with high degree of intra-mobility exchanges. Such information, calculated

at European regional scale thanks to mobile data, can be useful to inform targeted re-

escalation policy responses in cases of future COVID-19 outbreaks (avoiding large-area or

even national lockdowns). In such events, the geographic distribution of MFAs would define

territorial areas to which lockdown interventions could be limited, with the result of min-

imising socio-economic consequences of such policies. The analysis of the time evolution

of MFAs can also be thought of as a measure of how human mobility changes not only

in intensity but also in patterns, providing innovative insights into the impact of mobility

containment measures. This work presents a first analysis for 15 European countries (14

EU Member States and Norway).

Highlights

— Human mobility naturally shapes MFAs in time and space;

— lockdown mea sures have shown an overall ”shrinking” effect on the MFAs across Eu-

rope;

— MFAs are persistent in time with intra-weekly recurrent patterns

— MFAs can be used to inform targeted mobility containment measures in case of new

outbreaks, providing a balance between epidemiological and socio-economic impact.

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