A Review of Monocentric Urban Density Analysis

Abstract

It is important for planners to understand urban population distributions. In this article, the historical roots and present status of monocentric urban density analysis are reviewed, including theoretical and empirical beginnings, recent work on density analysis, and problems of specification and estimation. Monocentric urban density analysis is usefulfor understanding present population distributions and service needs. Public transportation and other services centered on the central business district are particularly well suited to this type of analysis. Planners can test various scenarios as they strive to control and design the future density structure of cities.