When and Where is a City Fractal?

Abstract

We present here an analysis of the development of the Tel Aviv metropolis by using the concept of fractals. The fractal dimension of the entire metropolis, and of its parts, was estimated as a function of time, from 1935 onwards. The central part and the northern tier are fractal at all times. Their fractal dimension increased with time. However, the metropolis as a whole can be said to be fractal only after 1985. There is a general tendency towards fractality, in the sense that the fractal dimension of the different parts converge towards the same value.