Population and employment density functions revisited: a spatial interaction approach

Area of Science:

• Urban Planning
• Spatial Economics
• Computational Social Science

Background:

• Understanding urban spatial structures is crucial for effective city planning and resource allocation.
• Existing models often simplify complex urban dynamics, necessitating more realistic simulations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a generalized urban spatial structure and transportation network model.
• To simulate population and service employment densities using an adapted Garin-Lowry model.
• To analyze the impact of key exogenous factors on urban density patterns.

Main Methods:

• Adaptation of the Garin-Lowry model for simulating population and service employment.
• Numerical solution of the model with variations in distance friction and basic employment distribution.
• Regression analysis to generalize density functions from simulated patterns.

Main Results:

• Identified transportation costs as a critical factor in shaping urban spatial structure.
• Highlighted the significant influence of basic employment distribution on density patterns.
• Developed generalized density functions based on simulation outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The adapted Garin-Lowry model provides a robust framework for simulating urban densities.
• Empirical evidence supports the critical role of transportation and employment location in urban form.
• Findings offer a foundation for future empirical research in urban spatial analysis.