Mod\'{e}lisation spatiale de la formation des agglom\'{e}rations dans la zone alg\'{e}roise

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the spatial formation of urban agglomerations in Algiers using New Economic Geography theories, focusing on the balance of forces influencing economic activity concentration, supported by numerical simulations with real data.

Contribution

It applies NEG theories to model Algiers' urban growth, employing numerical methods to solve complex nonlinear equations based on real data, which is a novel approach in this context.

Findings

Demonstrates the applicability of NEG models to Algiers.

Shows the importance of balancing centripetal and centrifugal forces.

Provides numerical simulations illustrating urban agglomeration dynamics.

Abstract

The goal of this study is to analyze the dynamics underlying Algiers urban area formation with reference to The New Economic Geography (NEG) theories and more precisely to the paper of Paul Krugman (1991), "Increasing returns and economic geography" which explains the mechanisms of economic activities concentration through two types of forces: centripetal forces enhancing the economic activities concentration and centrifugal forces hindering the agglomeration process. In fact, these mechanisms are translated into a system of nonlinear equations which is very hard to solve analytically. As a consequence, the use of numerical methods is highly advocated. We present some numerical simulations using real Algerian data.