A Simplified Approach to Analyzing Multi-regional Core-Periphery Models

This paper shows that the evolutionary process of spatial agglomeration in multi-regional core-periphery models can be explained analytically by a much simpler method than the continuous space approach of Krugman (1996). The proposed method overcomes the limitations of Turing's approach which has been applied to continuous space models. In particular, it allows us not only to examine whether or not agglomeration of mobile factors emerges from a uniform distribution, but also to trace the evolution of spatial agglomeration patterns (i.e., bifurcations from various polycentric patterns as well as from a uniform pattern) with decreases in transportation cost.