Threshold transitions in a regional urban system

In this paper we analyze the evolution of city size distributions over time in a regional urban system. This urban complex system is in constant flux with changing groups and city migration across existing and newly created groups. Using group formation as an emergent property, transition probabilities across the different groups were calculated. While short-term transition appears chaotic in the intermediate and lower rank groups, long-term transition across all rank groups reveals striking system structure over time.

Research highlights► We studied the evolution of city size distributions over time in a regional urban system in the United States. ► The system is in constant flux with changing groups and city migration across groups. ► We calculated transition probabilities across the different groups. ► Short-term transition is chaotic in the intermediate and lower rank groups. ► Long-term transition across all rank groups reveals striking system structure over time.