Fractal Analysis Based on Hierarchical Scaling in Complex Systems

Abstract

The fractal dimension growth of urban form can be described with sigmoid functions such as logistic function due to squashing effect. The sigmoid curves of fractal dimension suggest a type of spatial replacement dynamics of urban evolution. How to understand the underlying rationale of the fractal dimension curves is a pending problem. This study is based on two previous findings. First, normalized fractal dimension proved to equal normalized spatial entropy; second, a sigmoid function proceeds from an urban-rural interaction model. Defining urban space-filling measurement by spatial entropy, and defining rural space-filling measurement by information gain, we can construct a new urban-rural interaction and coupling model. From this model, we can derive the logistic equation of fractal dimension growth strictly. This indicates that urban growth results from the unity of opposites between spatial entropy increase and information increase. In a city, an increase in spatial entropy is accompanied by a decrease in urban land availability. An inference is that urban growth struggles between the force of urban space-filling and the force of urban space-saving. This work presents a set of urban models of spatial dynamics, which help us understand urban evolution from the angle of view of entropy and fractals.