Purpose of the Spatial Boundary Misalignment Module
This module explains the risk that arises when spatial boundaries used in residential data analysis do not align with administrative, planning, or lived geographies in Johannesburg. Its purpose is to clarify how boundary misalignment distorts interpretation of listing-based residential data.
Multiple Boundary Systems in Residential Context
Residential property in Johannesburg is situated within multiple overlapping boundary systems, including administrative jurisdictions, municipal planning zones, commonly used place names, and platform-defined locations. These systems are created for different purposes and rarely align precisely. Listing-based datasets typically reflect only one of these boundary logics.
Platform-Defined Spatial Attribution
Listing platforms assign spatial labels to residential properties based on simplified location inputs, branding conventions, or user-selected categories. These labels may aggregate multiple neighborhoods under a single district name or shift listings toward recognizable areas. As a result, platform-defined boundaries can diverge significantly from official or functional geographies.
Effects on District and Submarket Interpretation
When boundaries are misaligned, residential listings may be attributed to districts or submarkets that do not reflect their actual spatial or functional context. This misattribution alters perceived distribution patterns and can inflate or suppress visibility in certain areas. Interpretation that assumes boundary accuracy risks drawing unsupported conclusions.
Aggregation Amplification of Misalignment
Spatial boundary misalignment is amplified through aggregation. As listings are grouped at district or city scales, small attribution errors accumulate into significant distortion. Aggregated views can therefore conceal boundary inconsistencies while presenting an appearance of spatial coherence.
Interpretation Boundaries for Spatially Referenced Data
This module establishes a boundary against treating spatial labels in listing data as precise representations of residential geography. Spatial references should be read as platform-mediated identifiers rather than definitive location markers. Institutional users should maintain awareness of boundary misalignment when interpreting spatial patterns.