The temporal and spatial dynamics of regional city-size distribution: An Indian State Kerala (1951-2001)

Abstract

This paper aims at evaluating the temporal and spatial dynamics of City Size Distribution in Kerala, an Indian State for the period 1951-2001.The study is based on a function relating population size to rank and the same is used to test for the trends of deconcentration and spatial decentralization.The expansion methodology is used to investigate the dynamics of rank size func- tion in both temporal and spatial dimensions.Our findings reveals that the size distribution of cities/towns in the state shows an increasing and decreas- ing pattern and indicating a more even and less even distribution cities/towns populations.The study also indicates that distance from a central city is not a significant factor in any trend towards population deconcentration.