Abstract

This chapter discusses methods and sources in demography and urban studies from a critical-empirical perspective to reflect on 'how' and 'with what effects' these techniques, practices, and procedures have affected urban planning and policy interventions. It presents a general timeline of historical sources of demographic information while critically interrogating them by exploring Latin American cases. The chapter looks at Big Data's entrance into – and transformation of – demographic methods and urban policy interventions. Population studies and other demographic methods became fundamental tools in the twentieth century for conducting public policy design. Surveys are critical tools to evaluate demographic trends obtained from censuses and develop projections that complete time periods without exhaustive data. Space sampling surveys and large data bases of statistical systems have resulted from the development of methodologies to fill the gaps in administrative records. Sociologist, Sarah Brayne, claims that surveillance and Big Data have shown similar rising patterns during the last decade.