Papers of the Regional Science Association

This paper deals with the first stage — initial description — of the Generation of an Integrated Multispatial Input-output Model of Cities (GIMIMoC), which incorporates multiple systems (urban economic, socio-demographic and housing subsystems) and multiple spatial scales (urban zone, city, region and nation) into a framework. The framework consists of three modules. First, attention is paid to the construction of a multispatial inputoutput model (the MULIO module). A new notation highlights the hierarchy of multispatial units and the links with the other two modules. Second, the multispatial socio-demographic module (SOCDEM) is described, which can be either operated independently or incorporated into the GIMIMoC framework. Third, the multispatial housing stock module (HOSTOC) is treated, in which a spatial interaction type model is applied to estimate housing demand flows. Last, the integration and model solution, together with potential applications are outlined. The second stage — the dynamics of the GIMIMoC framework — is dealt with in another paper (Jin and Wilson 1991).

The analysis of energy problems is limited by the lack of adequate statistics and instruments for energy analysis. The Commmission of the European Communities, therefore, asked the Federal Statistical Office of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ifo-Institute for Economic Research in Munich to establish input-output tables of energy flows. Relevant studies were simultaneously conducted in six other EEC countries (France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Denmark). This paper analyses the regional structure of energy flows in Europe. Empirical results are presented for the physical energy content (terajoule) and the energy costs (mill. DM) of commodities in France, Italy, Denmark, and the Federal Republic of Germany. In addition, it shows how mixed input-output systems in physical and value units can be analysed with the general input-output model. Mathematically, input-output analysis can be regarded as a special statement of a linear programming model; here, the customary quantity and price models of input-output analysis are transferred into a linear optimization model (general inputo-output model) with a substantial gain of information for users. The objective is to analyse regional differences in energy production and energy use within the European Communities.

In this article we discuss the relationships between transportation infrastructure, firm location, agglomeration and regional development. We will argue that the spatial transaction costs faced by modern firms have changed over recent decades, and that this has changed the ways in which transportation infrastructure contributes to form location behaviour and regional economic development. Therefore, in order to analyse these issues, it is necessary to consider the spatial transaction costs faced by modern firms and to investigate the conditions under which reductions in these costs due to infrastructure improvements will allow firms to move. These complex relationships are seen to be mediated via different geography-firm-organisation structures and consideration of these is essential for any realistic evaluation of the role of transportation infrastructure.

An individual’s travel and activity behaviour is influenced by temporal and spatial constraints, travel and activity characteristics and individual attributes. This article formulates an individual accessibility model to measure the accessibility benefits of daily activities undertaken through a trip, a trip chain or at home. The model is extended further to analyse individuals’ activity location choices, choices between activities at home and activities through travel, and activity timing and scheduling decisions, with the assumption that an individual chooses an activity/travel alternative with the maximum accessibility benefits. An individual’s choice among different locations for participating in an activity is shown to depend on the time budget and the locations of activities scheduled before and after this decided activity. The substitution of an activity at home for an activity through travel is shown to depend on the relative magnitude of activity location attraction and activity duration between these two types of activities and preference parameters. Finally, the article illustrates how an individual schedules one or several continuous or discontinuous activities with time-dependent accessibility benefits so as to maximise benefits.

The pattern of agricultural production and land use specified by the linear programming model was greatly different from the actual pattern existing in 1963. I believe that the application of this model or similar models to other areas would not approximate actual patterns of production or resource use. Therefore, it is concluded that the assumptions upon which the model is based are inadequate for the construction of models aimed at estimating the economic feasibility of water resource investments. Further work on the model itself is necessary before it can be properly used in the predictive sense required in economic feasibility studies. In order to improve the model, it will be necessary to quantify additional constraining relationships that are generally encountered by the type of economic units being studied. Care should be taken not simply to build empirical realities into the model so as to reduce differences between the model results and existing production and resource use. Rather the type of constraints needed appear to require such studies as how economic units tend to react to opportunities for increased profits in situations where changes in habits would be required for the realization of these increased net returns. Studies which accurately estimate the economic efficiency of water resource investments need to consider how economic units will react to changes in water resources. The use of mathematical programming models in these studies serves to make this need more apparent.

Bệnh Dracunculiasis (Bệnh giun Guinea) là một bệnh ký sinh trùng có tính chất lưu hành tại 18 quốc gia châu Phi và 2 quốc gia châu Á. Bệnh này có tiềm năng rõ rệt trong việc loại trừ thông qua việc quản lý nguồn nước, giáo dục sức khỏe và can thiệp y tế có kiểm soát. Những phương pháp can thiệp này yêu cầu phát triển giếng nước và thành lập các trường học. Mỗi phương pháp có mức chi phí khác nhau, tỷ lệ thành công khác nhau trong việc loại trừ bệnh và khoảng cách mà người dân sẵn sàng và có khả năng di chuyển để sử dụng cơ sở hạ tầng. Trong bài báo này, một mô hình bao phủ tối đa có trọng số được phát triển để xác định các vị trí tốt nhất, dựa trên ngân sách hạn chế, cho các loại cơ sở khác nhau được sử dụng để chống lại bệnh này. Mô hình được phát triển và chứng minh bằng dữ liệu từ một tỉnh duy nhất trong một quốc gia, tỉnh Zou của Benin.

The maximal covering location problem is based on locatingp facilities in such a manner that coverage is maximized within set distance or time standards. This problem has been extended in a number of different ways where the main theme still involves locating a fixed number of facilities. In many applications site costs are not equal; this should cast doubt on the use of a constraint that fixes the number of facilities at a given number as compared to an approach that minimizes site costs and maximizes coverage. This paper addresses the use of site costs in a maximal covering location problem and presents several approaches to solutions, along with computational results. Theoretical linkages to other location models are also presented.

This paper discusses the implications wide area computer networks may have for a scientific discipline like Regional Science. We present various forms and channels of communication over wide area networks and compare them to traditional forms and channels of scholarly communication. The use of wide area networks in Regional Science is contrasted with the developments and experiences in other disciplines. Also, we review some of the recent discussions in Library Sciences. Finally, we suggest a number of network services that can improve scholarly communication in Regional Science and for which software is readily available.