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Gradient Boosting for Spatial Regression Models with Autoregressive Disturbances

Michael Balzer

arXiv 16 Jun 2025 · Econometrics · publishedNetworks and Spatial Economics (2025) · 1 citations (OpenAlex)

arXiv:2506.13682 · PDF · DOI · OpenAlex · Extracted main text

Abstract

Researchers in urban and regional studies increasingly deal with spatial data that reflects geographic location and spatial relationships. As a framework for dealing with the unique nature of spatial data, various spatial regression models have been introduced. In this article, a novel model-based gradient boosting algorithm for spatial regression models with autoregressive disturbances is proposed. Due to the modular nature, the approach provides an alternative estimation procedure which is feasible even in high-dimensional settings where established quasi-maximum likelihood or generalized method of moments estimators do not yield unique solutions. The approach additionally enables data-driven variable and model selection in low- as well as high-dimensional settings. Since the bias-variance trade-off is also controlled in the algorithm, implicit regularization is imposed which improves prediction accuracy on out-of-sample spatial data. Detailed simulation studies regarding the performance of estimation, prediction and variable selection in low- and high-dimensional settings confirm proper functionality of the proposed methodology. To illustrative the functionality of the model-based gradient boosting algorithm, a case study is presented where the life expectancy in German districts is modeled incorporating a potential spatial dependence structure.

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Most heavily cited references

The works this paper leans on most, across its whole bibliography — not restricted to papers in our corpus. Ranked by composite intensity, which combines how often a work is mentioned, how many sections mention it, and how much of that falls in the main text rather than the appendix.

ReferenceIntensityMentionsSectionsMain text
1Bühlmann P, Hothorn T (2007) Boosting algorithms: Regularization, prediction and model fitting1.00064100%
2Hofner B, Mayr A, Robinzonov N, et al (2014) Model-based boosting in R: A hands-on tutorial using the R package mboost0.92843100%
3Hofner B, Boccuto L, Goeker M (2015) Controlling false discoveries in high-dimensional situations: Boosting with stability selection0.92843100%
4Anselin L (1988) Spatial econometrics: methods and models, vol 40.8435460%
5Hothorn T, Buehlmann P, Kneib T, et al (2010) Model-based boosting 2.00.84333100%
6LeSage J, Pace RK (2009) Introduction to spatial econometrics0.84333100%
7Strömer A, Staerk C, Klein N, et al (2022) Deselection of base-learners for statistical boosting—with an application to distributional regression0.81142100%
8Bühlmann P (2006) Boosting for high-dimensional linear models0.7373367%
9Kelejian HH, Prucha IR (1999) A generalized moments estimator for the autoregressive parameter in a spatial model0.73732100%
10Mayr A, Hofner B, Schmid M (2012) The importance of knowing when to stop0.73732100%

Showing the top 10 of 53 scored citations.