Abstract
In this contribution, I address the function of multiplicative stochastic processes in modelling the occurrence of power-law city size distributions. As an explanation of the result of Zipf’s rank analysis, Simon’s model is presented in a mathematically elementary way, with a thorough discussion of the involved hypotheses. Emphasis is put on the flexibility of the model, as to its possible extensions and the relaxation of some strong assumptions. I point out some open problems regarding the prediction of the detailed shape of Zipf’s rank plots, which may be tackled by means of such extensions.
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© 2008 Physica-Verlag Heidelberg and Accademia di Architettura, Mendrisio, Switzerland
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Zanette, D.H. (2008). Multiplicative Processes and City Sizes. In: Albeverio, S., Andrey, D., Giordano, P., Vancheri, A. (eds) The Dynamics of Complex Urban Systems. Physica-Verlag HD. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7908-1937-3_22
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7908-1937-3_22
Publisher Name: Physica-Verlag HD
Print ISBN: 978-3-7908-1936-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-7908-1937-3
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