Urban Population Densities: Structure and Change

Abstract

where d, is population density d at distance x from the city center, do is central density, as extrapolated, and b is the density gradient, indicating the rate of diminution of density with distance, a negative exponential decline. However, despite much recent attention, both theoretical and empirical, and despite Clark's clear identification of his topic as lying within the province of urban geography (indeed, the germ of these ideas is to be found in the work of MarkJefferson in 19092), both the topic and Clark's stimulating and fundamental contribution remain neglected by geographers. For example, not a single reference to Clark's paper appears in Readings in Urban Geography.3 There is evidently a need for a careful review of Clark's work, especially in the light of the recent related contributions of Muth, Weiss, Stewart and Warntz, Alonso, Winsborough, Beckmann, and others.4 This is