Time-series Analysis of Clusters in City Size Distributions

Ahjond S. Garmestani, Craig R. Allen and K. Michael Bessey
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Ahjond S. Garmestani: South Carolina Co-operative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Program in Policy Studies, Clemson University, G27 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, USA, agarmes@clemson.edu
Craig R. Allen: South Carolina Co-operative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Program in Policy Studies, Clemson University, G27 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, USA, allencr@clemson.edu
K. Michael Bessey: Program in Policy Studies, Clemson University

Urban Studies, 2005, vol. 42, issue 9, 1507-1515

Abstract: Complex systems, such as urban systems, emerge unpredictably without the influence of central control as a result of adaptive behaviour by their component, interacting agents. This paper analyses city size distributions, by decade, from the south-western region of the United States for the years 1890-1990. It determines if the distributions were clustered and documents changes in the pattern of clusters over time. Clusters were determined utilising a kernel density estimator and cluster analysis. The data were clustered as determined by both methods. The analyses identified 4-7 clusters of cities in each of the decades analysed. Cities cluster into size classes, suggesting variability in growth rates at different scales.

Date: 2005
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:42:y:2005:i:9:p:1507-1515

DOI: 10.1080/00420980500185314

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