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Growth trends of metropolitan areas in Japan: Application of the concept of P-M curve

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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to illuminate basic characteristics of metropolitan areas in Japan. We first delineate the boundaries of ninety-eight Japanese metropolitan areas based on the concept of cut-off point on the P-M curve the idea of which was originally developed by Ogawa in 1957. Secondly, we carry out empirical analyses on spatial structure and growth patterns of those metropolitan areas by use of 1960 and 1975 data. The results of the analyses partly support the theory of urban metamorphosis suggested by Klaassen, Bourdrez and Volmuller in 1981.

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Shimizu, K., Orita, J. Growth trends of metropolitan areas in Japan: Application of the concept of P-M curve. Ann Reg Sci 18, 24–38 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01291329

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01291329

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