Modelling the spatial structure of Europe

Kincses, Áron and Nagy, Zoltán and Tóth, Géza (2015): Modelling the spatial structure of Europe. Published in: Regional Statistics , Vol. 4, No. 2 (February 2015): pp. 40-54.

Abstract

How can spatial location affect the operation of society, population or economic conditions? What is the role of neighbourhood and distance in social phenomena? In what way can a social organisation limit spatial barriers? How would spatial structures be affected by the attraction and repulsion of territorial units? Does society only use or also design regions? These questions are explored in this study. This work analyses some important issues, concepts and analysis procedures of the territorial structure of society and social processes of spatiality. It does not contain a comprehensive theory of spatiality and regional science; it is primarily a practical empirical research. Many theoretical works aim at defining the spatial structure of Europe. This article provides an overview of models describing the spatial structure of Europe. The study describes the economic spatial structure of Europe using bi-dimensional regression analysis, based on the gravity model. The spatial structure of Europe is illustrated with the help of the gravity model and spatial auto-correlation. With these patterns, it is possible to justify the appropriateness of the models based on different methodological backgrounds by comparing them with the results of this paper. The subject of field theory concepts and methods that can aid regional analyses is examined, and attempts to offer a synthesised knowledge with a wide variety of examples and methods.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: bi-dimensional regression, Europe, gravity model, spatial autocorrelation, spatial models
• Subjects: C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C5 - Econometric Modeling; R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R1 - General Regional Economics

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