Information Theory as a Basis for Studying Environmental Complexity: Some Limitations

J F Betak
Additional contact information
J F Betak: Department of Geography, McMaster University, Hamilton L8S 4K1, Ontario, Canada

Environment and Planning A, 1974, vol. 6, issue 3, 259-272

Abstract: It has been proposed that humans need and prefer an optimal level of complexity in the urban environment. Information-theory formulations have been proposed as a means of evaluating environmental complexity. This paper considers the use of information theory as the basis for treating environmental complexity. Six information-theory concepts are evaluated: unexpectedness, structural complexity, metrical information, redundancy, message, and noise. Their implications and limitations for studying environmental complexity are specified. It is concluded that information theory does not provide a sound basis for studying environmental complexity.

Date: 1974
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1068/a060259 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:envira:v:6:y:1974:i:3:p:259-272

DOI: 10.1068/a060259

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Environment and Planning A
Bibliographic data for series maintained by SAGE Publications ().