Applications of fractals and scaling in population and settlement analysis

Patterns of settlement are examined using a number of fractal and scaling techniques. Existing methods of spatial analysis are reviewed and evaluated, showing a need for additional methods for the analysis of spatial and geographical data. Fractal methods are introduced as candidates for such uses. They are applied in a variety of ways to analyze patterns of population and settlement: in an exploratory fashion, to test hypotheses, to determine correlations, to validate settlement models, and to explore the dynamics of population. Scaling properties of population and settlement patterns averaged over different regions are found to be non-uniform, allowing comparisons to be made between them. Correlations are discovered between the scaling behavior of settlement patterns and physical factors such as proximity to coastlines and the ruggedness of the landscape. Popular stochastic and central place models are shown to be inadequate for explaining the scaling behavior of real settlement patterns. Finally patterns of population change are examined, compared and described in terms of their scaling properties. This paper demonstrates how fractal and scaling methods can be usefully applied in the social and spatial sciences. Such an exploratory analysis of the scaling behavior of patterns of human population and settlement constitutes a necessary first step toward a detailed understanding of these phenomena.