Examining spatial structure using gravity models

Book chapter (2019)

Authors

Martijn Burger Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam
Frank van Oort Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam
E.J. Meijers OLD Urban and Regional Development
Research Group
OLD Urban and Regional Development
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Published Date

2019

Language

English

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Research Group

OLD Urban and Regional Development

Abstract

In this chapter, we discuss the use of gravity models in the study of spatial structure. Using the recent discussion on functional polycentricity as a background, we argue that the gravity model approach has one obvious advantage when examining spatial structure: it can simultaneously assess functional polycentricity and spatial interdependencies within one modelling framework. The chapter concludes with a discussion of methods that can be applied to estimate the gravity model.