The Dynamics of Cities: Ecological Determinism, Dualism and Chaos [Paperback]

Dimitrios Dendrinos, an expert in the application of non-linear dynamics and chaos theory to the subject of urban and regional dynamics, focuses here on fundamental issues in population growth and decline. He approaches the topic of urban growth and decline within a global system perspective, viewing the rise and fall of cities, industries and nations as the result of global interdependencies which lead to unstable dynamics and widespread dualisms. Professor Dendrinos provides valuable insights into the evolution of human settlements and considers the possible futures open to the giant cities of the world.Drawing on recorded evidence, this book argues that simple, general and powerful macrodynamic processes guide the growth and decline of present day urban agglomerations, as well as cities of the past.`... it contains a wealth of messages ... a very rich source of information for geography and economics alike.' - Tijdschrift voor Economie en Social GeographieSummary Introduction Some Central Issues Structure of the Book A Note on Social Science Theories, Data and their Markets Notes of Introduction Part A. Global Interdependencies Introduction Macrodynamics of the World's Largest Urban Areas: Order in Chaos Interactions and Interdependencies Conclusions Part B. Nations, Cities, Industries and their Connections Introduction Instability from International Exchanges Two National Economies; their Internal Growth and Foreign Trade Unstable Urban Macrodynamics Currencies and Dualisms Anatomy and Evolution of Some Very Large Urban Economies Macrodynamics, Stability, Cycles and Relative Dynamics The Mathematical Formulation of Relative Macrodynamics Conclusions Part C. The Dynamic Code of a Global Urban Hierarchy Introduction Hyper-concentrations, Hypo-concentrations, and agglomeration gradients Aggregate Development Code, Relative Parity, and the Empirical Evidence The Urban Sector of the World's Four Largl#Ô