On the Rank-Size Distribution for Human Settlements

@article{Reed2002OnTR,
  title={On the Rank-Size Distribution for Human Settlements},
  author={William J. Reed},
  journal={Environmental Economics},
  year={2002}
}
  • W. Reed
  • Published 1 February 2002
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Economics
An explanation for the rank-size distribution for human settlements based on simple stochastic models of settlement formation and growth is presented. Not only does the analysis of the model explain the rank-size phenomenon in the upper tail, it also predicts a reverse rank-size phenomenon in the lower tail. Furthermore it yields a parametric form (the double Pareto-lognormal distribution) for the complete distribution of settlement sizes. Settlement-size data for four regions (two in Spain and… 
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