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Entropy in Spatial Aggregation
Author(s) -
Batty Michael
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
geographical analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.773
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1538-4632
pISSN - 0016-7363
DOI - 10.1111/j.1538-4632.1976.tb00525.x
Subject(s) - spatial analysis , statistics , entropy (arrow of time) , generalized entropy index , zoning , econometrics , mathematics , hierarchy , computer science , cluster analysis , economics , law , physics , quantum mechanics , political science , market economy
This paper introduces an approach to the measurement of locational phenomena in a spatial hierarchy using entropy statistics. A number of such statistics suitable for the study of spatial aggregation are derived, and each of these statistics is decomposed at different levels of the spatial hierarchy using principles of decomposition first applied by Theil. These decomposition statistics are compared with the variance analysis applied by Moellering and Tobler and with the spatial entropy measure suggested by Curry. The use of these statistics is then illustrated by data from the Reading subregion and New York City, and the paper is concluded with an analysis of a possible role for entropy and information in problems involving equal‐area zoning.