Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
The data collection provides information and comparable measurements on the different aspects of the quality of urban life in cities.
3.2. Classification system
Specific classification and coding systems have been developed for the spatial units and for the variables and indicators. For the description of the coding system and the list of indicators and variables see the Methodological Manual of City Statistics.
3.3. Coverage - sector
The indicators and variables cover several domains including: Demography (DE), Social Aspects (SA), Economic Aspects (EC), Training and Education (TE), Environment (EN), Travel and Transport (TT) and Culture and Recreation (CR).
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
For most variables the definitions within the Methodological Manual on City Statistics existing international standards have been followed. However, in compiling the data some deviations have resulted and are detailed in the UK Metadata Report (See below link).
3.5. Statistical unit
Most of the Urban Audit data relate to the “number” e.g. of persons in Demography.
A full concise list of the variable units can be found in Methodological Manual on City Statistics
3.6. Statistical population
For most variables the target population are the residents living within a European City Statistics city.
A detailed description of the statistical populations used see the Methodological Manual on City Statistics.
3.7. Reference area
United Kingdom (UK).
3.8. Coverage - Time
2011, 2008, 2004 and 2001 are the reference years for the main data collection. 1996 and 1991 were the reference years for the 'Historical' data collection.
A subset of variables has been collected on an annual basis for the period 2005-2018.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
The unit of measurement varies from variable to variable.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Not applicable.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
Additionally, all data are quality assured by the European City Statistics team in the UK in order to prevent disclosive information from being transmitted.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Where necessary disclosive data are removed from datasets during quality assurance. This may mean that some variables where there are male, female and total for instance, may not add up to the total count.
8.1. Release calendar
Not applicable.
8.2. Release calendar access
Not applicable.
8.3. Release policy - user access
European City Statistics data analysis is published in line with the release policy.
The database is updated depending upon the availability of new and revised data.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Not applicable.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Data analysis is published on the Office for National Statistics website.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Not applicable.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Not applicable.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Not applicable.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
The definitions of the Methodological Manual on City Statistics have been followed for most variables. Additional information on the deviating methodology used in the collection is provided in the UK Metadata Report (see below link).
10.7. Quality management - documentation
The quality assurance procedures detailed in the Methodological Manual on City Statistics have been applied. Additional information on quality is provided in the UK Metadata Report.
11.1. Quality assurance
Sources of data are checked for compatibility with the definitions set out in the Methodological Manual on City Statistics. Small differences are flagged with a 'd' for deviating definitions and are further explained in the UK Metadata Report.
Data are taken from official data sources that are checked and validated as part of their release.
Data are checked for level of change over time and outliers are invetigated further. Data considered to be disclosive are removed. Further checks are carried out to ensure that data accuracy has been maintained throughout processing.
It is recommended that users always refer to the Metadata Report and source metadata to assess whether the data are suitable for their needs particularly when using estimates indicated by an ‘e’.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Not available.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The European City Statistics project is to be viewed in the context of the Regional Policy of the European Union. The main priority of this policy is to improve social and economic cohesion in the European Union by seeking to reduce disparities between European regions. Cities play a specific and prominent part in this respect. Cities are namely important sources of economic growth, whilst on the other hand they are faced with large social imbalances.
The direct purpose of the European City Statistics project is to collect comparable statistics at the European level on a large number of variables for a range of topics at three spatial levels: the administrative city, the greater city and the functional urban area (FUA).
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not available.
12.3. Completeness
Over 100 variables have been collected for the Urban Audit 2018.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Not applicable.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
This depends on the domain and individual indicator and can vary between 12 and 24 months.
14.2. Punctuality
Data is sent to Eurostat as soon as it has been validated within the European City Statistics team.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Different data sources are sometimes used for the devolved administrations in the UK leading to deviating definitions therefore, the comparability of data may be limited to some extent. More detailed information on sources and deviating definitions is available in the UK Metadata Report (see below link).
15.2. Comparability - over time
Where possible the European City Statistics team within the UK have used the same data source for variables in order to preserve a time series across the collection.
When there is a break in the time series due to methodology or boundary changes for a variable a flag of 'b' is added to the data file.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Data collected at sub-national level is coherent with the data collected at national level to a limited extent due to the different data sources used.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal coherence (e.g. between spatial levels, between indicators like total, female, male population) is ensured through the application of multivariable and univariable validation controls.
Where possible data have been downloaded from the Office for National Statistics and other government department websites in order to reduce the burden of requesting bespoke datasets. Where this could not be achieved care was taken to ensure both value for money and any potential burden on data suppliers was taken into consideration.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Not applicable.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
The major sources of data used in the compilation of the Urban Audit domains are as follows:
Demography, Nationality, and Household Structure (DE1, DE2 and DE3)
Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Mid Year Estimates, Annual Population Survey
England UK Housing Projections
Housing (SA1)
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency – People and Places
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – Dwelling Stock
Stats Wales – Dwelling Stock Estimates
National Records of Scotland – Household Events
Health (SA2)
Office for National Statistics – Births and Deaths
National Records of Scotland – Vital Events
Crime (SA3)
Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Community Safety Partnership
Labour Market and Economic Activity (EC1 and EC2)
Office for National Statistics - Annual Population Survey
Training and Education (TE)
Office for National Statistics - Nomis
Travel and Transport (TT)
Office for National Statistics – Nomis
Environment (EN)
Department for Government and Rural Affairs – Waste Data Flow
Culture and recreation (CR1)
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency – Travel and Transport
Sports England – Swimming Pool Data
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy – Public Library Data
We recommend that users always refer to the source metadata to assess whether the data are suitable for their needs. Links are provided in the Metadata Report as appropriate.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
The Urban Audit is an annual data collection.
18.3. Data collection
This is ongoing dependent upon availability of release and publication of data.
18.4. Data validation
Data validation was undertaken in the production of the data and by the European City Statistics project in the United Kingdom.
The data collection provides information and comparable measurements on the different aspects of the quality of urban life in cities.
24 February 2020
For most variables the definitions within the Methodological Manual on City Statistics existing international standards have been followed. However, in compiling the data some deviations have resulted and are detailed in the UK Metadata Report (See below link).
Most of the Urban Audit data relate to the “number” e.g. of persons in Demography.
A full concise list of the variable units can be found in Methodological Manual on City Statistics
For most variables the target population are the residents living within a European City Statistics city.
A detailed description of the statistical populations used see the Methodological Manual on City Statistics.
United Kingdom (UK).
The reference period for this metadata is 2018.
Not applicable.
The unit of measurement varies from variable to variable.
The major sources of data used in the compilation of the Urban Audit domains are as follows:
Demography, Nationality, and Household Structure (DE1, DE2 and DE3)
Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Mid Year Estimates, Annual Population Survey
England UK Housing Projections
Housing (SA1)
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency – People and Places
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – Dwelling Stock
Stats Wales – Dwelling Stock Estimates
National Records of Scotland – Household Events
Health (SA2)
Office for National Statistics – Births and Deaths
National Records of Scotland – Vital Events
Crime (SA3)
Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Community Safety Partnership
Labour Market and Economic Activity (EC1 and EC2)
Office for National Statistics - Annual Population Survey
Training and Education (TE)
Office for National Statistics - Nomis
Travel and Transport (TT)
Office for National Statistics – Nomis
Environment (EN)
Department for Government and Rural Affairs – Waste Data Flow
Culture and recreation (CR1)
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency – Travel and Transport
Sports England – Swimming Pool Data
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy – Public Library Data
We recommend that users always refer to the source metadata to assess whether the data are suitable for their needs. Links are provided in the Metadata Report as appropriate.
The database is updated depending upon the availability of new and revised data.
This depends on the domain and individual indicator and can vary between 12 and 24 months.
Different data sources are sometimes used for the devolved administrations in the UK leading to deviating definitions therefore, the comparability of data may be limited to some extent. More detailed information on sources and deviating definitions is available in the UK Metadata Report (see below link).
Where possible the European City Statistics team within the UK have used the same data source for variables in order to preserve a time series across the collection.
When there is a break in the time series due to methodology or boundary changes for a variable a flag of 'b' is added to the data file.
