A synergetic approach to the self-organization of cities and settlements

The self-organization of cities is studied in terms of synergetics paradigms of pattern formation and pattern recognition. The authors propose a mathematical model that describes the change of populations by migration, changes of profession, and so on, first by a linear model whose deficiencies are outlined. Then a nonlinear model is introduced that is based on the concept of attention parameters as introduced in pattern recognition in synergetics and that allows for a saturation of attention. In this model, a competition between various final patterns occurs. It would seem that the model may allow for the inclusion of planning and self-organized realizations.