What About the Bell-shaped Relationship Between Primacy and Development?

André Lemelin and Mario Polèse
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André Lemelin: INRS- Urbanisation Université du Quebéc 3465 rue Durocher Montréal Quebec CANADA H2X 2C6
Mario Polèse: INRS- Urbanisation Université du Quebéc 3465 rue Durocher Montréal Quebec CANADA H2X 2C6

International Regional Science Review, 1995, vol. 18, issue 3, 313-330

Abstract: This paper proposes, estimates, and tests a “no-frills†static two-equation recursive model, where the size of the largest city depends on the level of development in a two-step relationship, with the total urban population intervening as an intermediate variable. The model has the following implications for primacy: (1) contrary to Richardson and Schwartz's (1988) assertion, primacy is indeed related to development, albeit indirectly, but (2) the relationship does not display the bell shape predicted by the El-Shakhs-Mera hypothesis. Instead, primacy as a function of development decreases monotonically at a decreasing rate. Research assistance was provided by Atib Salhi.

Date: 1995
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:inrsre:v:18:y:1995:i:3:p:313-330

DOI: 10.1177/016001769501800303

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