Abstract: Based on the “NPP-VIIRS-like” luminous remote sensing data set, this paper uses the improved statistical data comparison method to extract the built-up area of the central plains urban agglomeration, and analyzes the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of the built-up area of the central plains urban agglomeration from 2002 to 2020 in combination with the center of gravity migration index and the typical landscape pattern index. Research shows that: ①The expansion intensity of the built-up areas of the central plains urban agglomeration is first fast and then slow, and the overall trend is declining. The center of gravity of the built-up area finally points to the southeast after several shifts, but it has always been located within the Zhengzhou metropolitan area.②The urban agglomeration in the central plains has developed rapidly. The total area of built-up areas has increased by 1.429 times between 2002 and 2020, and a large number of emerging towns have appeared between 2011 and 2012. After 2014, it has stabilized, and the connection between towns has become more and more close. ③The complexity of the spatial pattern of the built-up areas of the central plains urban agglomeration has increased year by year, and the degree of fragmentation has generally decreased. The expansion rate of the built-up areas in the Zhengzhou metropolitan area is significantly faster than that of the overall built-up areas of the central plains urban agglomeration.

Key words: luminous remote sensing, the central plains urban agglomeration, temporal and spatial changes, landscape pattern index, improved statistical data comparison method