Publication: Population concentration. Quantitative characterization by concentration indexes
Authors
Alvira Baeza, Ricardo
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Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Derecho
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INU Edizione Srl
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DOI
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info:eu-repo/semantics/lecture
Description
Abstract
El trabajo analiza el fenómeno de la concentración de la población desde una perspectiva histórica, teórica y cuantitativa. Tras revisar los principales enfoques desarrollados para comprender la distribución territorial de la población, distingue entre las propuestas normativas de organización espacial, representadas por autores como Platón y Ebenezer Howard, y las aproximaciones empírico-estadísticas iniciadas por Auerbach y posteriormente desarrolladas por la teoría de los lugares centrales. A partir de este marco, se plantea la necesidad de superar el análisis basado únicamente en la dicotomía entre población urbana y rural mediante indicadores que permitan medir el grado de concentración territorial. Como aplicación empírica, el estudio examina la evolución de la concentración de la población en España entre 1787 y 2020 utilizando índices de concentración, observando un incremento sostenido del fenómeno paralelo al crecimiento demográfico. El trabajo propone estos indicadores como herramientas para caracterizar y comparar la distribución espacial de la población, analizar su relación con otras variables territoriales y establecer objetivos de redistribución demográfica fundamentados en evidencia cuantitativa. Asimismo, se plantea la utilidad de este enfoque para el diseño y la evaluación de políticas públicas orientadas al equilibrio territorial y al desarrollo urbano sostenible.
This paper examines the phenomenon of population concentration from a historical, theoretical, and quantitative perspective. It reviews the main approaches developed to understand the territorial distribution of population, distinguishing between normative models of spatial organization, represented by authors such as Plato and Ebenezer Howard, and empirical statistical approaches initiated by Auerbach and later developed through Central Place Theory. Building on this framework, the paper argues for moving beyond the traditional urban-rural dichotomy by employing concentration indices that enable the measurement of the degree of territorial population concentration. As an empirical application, the study analyzes the evolution of population concentration in Spain between 1787 and 2020 using concentration indices, identifying a sustained increase in concentration alongside demographic growth. The paper proposes these indices as useful tools for characterizing and comparing spatial population distributions, examining their relationship with other territorial variables, and establishing evidence-based objectives for population redistribution. Finally, it highlights the potential of this approach to support the design and evaluation of public policies aimed at promoting territorial balance and sustainable urban development.
This paper examines the phenomenon of population concentration from a historical, theoretical, and quantitative perspective. It reviews the main approaches developed to understand the territorial distribution of population, distinguishing between normative models of spatial organization, represented by authors such as Plato and Ebenezer Howard, and empirical statistical approaches initiated by Auerbach and later developed through Central Place Theory. Building on this framework, the paper argues for moving beyond the traditional urban-rural dichotomy by employing concentration indices that enable the measurement of the degree of territorial population concentration. As an empirical application, the study analyzes the evolution of population concentration in Spain between 1787 and 2020 using concentration indices, identifying a sustained increase in concentration alongside demographic growth. The paper proposes these indices as useful tools for characterizing and comparing spatial population distributions, examining their relationship with other territorial variables, and establishing evidence-based objectives for population redistribution. Finally, it highlights the potential of this approach to support the design and evaluation of public policies aimed at promoting territorial balance and sustainable urban development.
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