<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Accessibility measures are useful for studies in Economic Geography. For example, accessibility to potential customers can be used in a study of firm behaviour. In such a study, it would be relevant to consider where potential customers live. This can be accomplished by splitting the accessibility measure into three parts: accessibility within the municipality, in other municipalities within the functional region, and in other regions. Many studies have proved this to be a very useful way to incorporate the spatial structure of the economy into economic studies. This paper deals with the issue of finding the distance-friction parameters needed to calculate such accessibility measures. There is a particular distance-friction parameter for interaction within the municipality, between municipalities within the functional region, and between regions. One way to find the distance-friction parameters is to solve a constrained gravity model, in which the functional regions are used as constraints. Both the models and the optimisation procedures in matrix form, and the Matlab programs used in the research are presented. The spatial constraints are gradually introduced into the models, which empowers the researcher to make such adjustments on their own. The data set used is available for downloading, and the reader can then try the models before creating a data set of their own.</p></abstract>

Accessibility measures are useful for studies in Economic Geography. For example, accessibility to potential customers can be used in a study of firm behaviour. In such a study, it would be relevant to consider where potential customers live. This can be accomplished by splitting the accessibility measure into three parts: accessibility within the municipality, in other municipalities within the functional region, and in other regions. Many studies have proved this to be a very useful way to incorporate the spatial structure of the economy into economic studies. This paper deals with the issue of finding the distance-friction parameters needed to calculate such accessibility measures. There is a particular distance-friction parameter for interaction within the municipality, between municipalities within the functional region, and between regions. One way to find the distance-friction parameters is to solve a constrained gravity model, in which the functional regions are used as constraints. Both the models and the optimisation procedures in matrix form, and the Matlab programs used in the research are presented. The spatial constraints are gradually introduced into the models, which empowers the researcher to make such adjustments on their own. The data set used is available for downloading, and the reader can then try the models before creating a data set of their own.

Functional regions in gravity models and accessibility measures

Regional Economic Activity and Development, Enterprises for the Future, School of Business, University of Skövde, Sweden

Moravian Geographical Reports

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

{"article-title":"Functional regions in gravity models and accessibility measures"}

Accessibility measures are useful for studies in Economic Geography. For example, accessibility to potential customers can be used in a study of firm...

Functional regions in gravity models and accessibility measures

Published Online: Jul 08, 2016

Page range: 60 - 70

Received: Jun 28, 2015

Accepted: Apr 29, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/mgr-2016-0011

Keywords
spatial interaction, commuting, gravity model, entropy, constrained optimisation, Matlab, Sweden

© 2016

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Functional regions in gravity models and accessibility measures

Published Online: Jul 08, 2016

Page range: 60 - 70

Received: Jun 28, 2015

Accepted: Apr 29, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/mgr-2016-0011

Keywordsspatial interaction, commuting, gravity model, entropy, constrained optimisation, Matlab, Sweden

© 2016

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
spatial interaction, commuting, gravity model, entropy, constrained optimisation, Matlab, Sweden