Intermittency model for urban development

Susanna C. Manrubia and Damián H. Zanette
Phys. Rev. E 58, 295 – Published 1 July 1998
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Abstract

The evolution of a stochastic reaction-diffusion model whose dynamics leads to the development of a strongly inhomogeneous, spatiotemporally intermittent density field is analytically and numerically studied. The processes underlying the model can be identified with those that govern urban development. The results for the reaction-diffusion model are thus compared with data obtained from real human demography. Statistical properties of urban distributions—in particular, the universal power law observed in the population frequency of cities—are successfully reproduced by the model.

  • Received 29 December 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.58.295

©1998 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Susanna C. Manrubia* and Damián H. Zanette

  • Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany

  • *On leave from Complex Systems Research Group, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Campus Nord, B4, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
  • Permanent address: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Centro Atómico Bariloche e Instituto Balseiro, 8400 S.C. de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina.

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Issue

Vol. 58, Iss. 1 — July 1998

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