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Time-series Analysis of Clusters in City Size Distributions

Author

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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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahjond S. Garmestani & Craig R. Allen & K. Michael Bessey, 2005. "Time-series Analysis of Clusters in City Size Distributions," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 42(9), pages 1507-1515, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:42:y:2005:i:9:p:1507-1515
    DOI: 10.1080/00420980500185314
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. García, Jorge H. & Garmestani, Ahjond S. & Karunanithi, Arunprakash T., 2011. "Threshold transitions in a regional urban system," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 78(1), pages 152-159.
    2. Rafael Gonz�lez-Val & Luis Lanaspa, 2016. "Patterns in US Urban Growth, 1790-2000," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(2), pages 289-309, February.
    3. Dustin L. Herrmann & William D. Shuster & Audrey L. Mayer & Ahjond S. Garmestani, 2016. "Sustainability for Shrinking Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-9, September.
    4. Shana M. Sundstrom & David G. Angeler & Ahjond S. Garmestani & Jorge H. García & Craig R. Allen, 2014. "Transdisciplinary Application of Cross-Scale Resilience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(10), pages 1-24, October.
    5. Zengwang Xu & Robert Harriss, 2010. "A Spatial and Temporal Autocorrelated Growth Model for City Rank—Size Distribution," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 47(2), pages 321-335, February.
    6. Rafael GONZÀLEZ-VAL, 2012. "Zipf’S Law: Main Issues In Empirical Work," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 36, pages 147-164.
    7. Wenbiao Zhang & Degang Yang & Jinwei Huo, 2016. "Studies of the Relationship between City Size and Urban Benefits in China Based on a Panel Data Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-18, June.

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