The Decline of the Density Gradient is Not a Good Measure of Decentralization

Abstract

The decrease in the density gradient estimated assuming the negative exponential decline of density has been used as a measure of the decentralization of the population in urban areas. A definition of urban population decentralization is presented and a measure of centralization is developed. The density gradient and its change are compared with this index of centralization, first in a numerical model and then using data on the distribution of the population in 43 large urban areas in 1970 and 2010. The density gradient is only somewhat related to this index and is not a good measure of decentralization.