A G Wilson
Biographic Data
| ID | 3710667 |
|---|---|
| NAME | A G Wilson |
| GIVEN NAMES | A G |
| FAMILY NAME | Wilson |
| SIGNATURE | WILSON A G |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Leeds |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-5507-1509 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 49 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 248 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 49 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1967 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 8 |
The Self-Other Gap in Perceived Automation Risk: Evidence from the United States and Canada
This visualization shows a systematic misperception in how workers judge automation risk. Drawing on the 2026 Measuring Employment Sentiments and Social Inequality study, the authors compare paired measures of perceived automation likelihood for self and most others, using nationally representative samples of American and Canadian workers. Approximately three quarters of study participants in both countries rated their own jobs as at low risk of …
The Bad Side of a Good Economy: How Perceptions of the Economy Moderate the Relationship between Financial Strain and Powerlessness
How do perceptions of the economy moderate the association between financial strain and powerlessness? This article tests four novel hypotheses using two nationally representative samples of American (N = 2,466) and Canadian (N = 2,501) workers collected in late 2023. The amplified threat and protective economic optimism hypotheses suggest that for those who are financially struggling, perceiving the economy as “poor” is associated with more powe…
It’s Not You, It’s the Market: When Satisfied Workers Contemplate Quitting
Conventional views of turnover intentions emphasize job dissatisfaction as a fundamental determinant. The authors investigate how generalized perceptions of most other workers’ quality of working life moderate the relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intentions. Using two nationally representative surveys of American workers from November 2023 and June 2024 ( n = 7,500), the authors confirm a negative association between personal jo…
From Pierre Poilievre To Pierre Bourdieu: Three Theoretical Interventions for a Field Theory of Populism
Beyond the Neomaterialist Divide: Negotiating Between Eliminative and Vital Materialism with Integrated Information Theory
Though most neomaterialists share a commitment to the Copernican decentring of humans from the world stage, there is disagreement on the purposes of such an endeavour. The polemic stems from a fundamental discrepancy about what the return to materiality entails: is matter the principle of the non-thinking as such, or is it always already imbued with some sort of subjectivity? Is the new materialism's goal to come to terms with the non-living orig…
New Methods of Thought and Procedure: Contributions to the Symposium on Methodologies
Reflections
Urban Dynamics: Designing an Integrated Model
Commentary
Applied Research and Development
Towards an Applicable Human Geography: Some Developments and Observations
In this paper we outline the development of an applicable human geography founded upon model-based methods. First, we outline some of the recent trends that suggest cautious optimism within the quantitative geography fraternity. Then, we show how a number of common themes are shared by a wide variety of different systems. In each case the application of modelling skills can aid the analysis of these systems-both in terms of our understanding of h…
Industrial Location Models 1: A Review and an Integrating Framework
A unified theoretical framework is applied to a broad range of alternative approaches to industrial location modelling. This framework provides a basis for the comparison of alternative assumptions employed by various location theorists. In a follow-up paper, these observations are used to construct a more general industrial location model from which many others may be derived as ‘special cases’
Industrial Location Models 2: Weber, Palander, Hotelling, and Extensions within a New Framework
In an earlier paper, the unified theoretical framework was applied to a broad range of alternative approaches to industrial location modelling. These explorations are used in this paper to construct a more general industrial location model from which many of the models can be derived as special cases
Research Policy and Review 3. Raising the Levels of Ambition in Research: Some Lessons from the Journal
The content of Environment and Planning A relating to a six-year period is broadly reviewed. This illuminates some features of the styles of research of its contributors and provides the basis for some speculations on research policy. It is argued that research funding and training at the institutional level, and corresponding decisions at the individual level, should be more ambitious in scope. Five suggestions are made to help achieve this
Spatial Structure, Spatial Interaction, and Their Integration: A Review of Alternative Models
Models of spatial structure, spatial interaction, and integrated location-interaction models are reviewed and the nature of their contribution to the geographer's understanding of patterns and change is explored. The main discussion focuses first on spatial structure and then on spatial interaction. Integrated models are explored in relation to six categories employed by Zeeman, the first of these being concerned with pattern, the rest with incre…
Spatial dynamics: Classical problems, an integrated modelling approach and system performance
Spatial Dynamics: Classical Problems, an Integrated Modelling Approach and System Performance
The common nature of a range of 'classical’ geographical problems is described. By adopting a particular system description and set of methods, it is shown that it is possible to develop an integrated framework within which the traditional models can be seen as special cases and whose assumptions can be relaxed. It is the ideas of dynamical systems theory, developed in a specific way for geographical systems, which enables such an integrated mode…
The Dynamics of Urban Spatial Structure: The Progress of a Research Programme
Discusses research centred on the dynamics of urban spatial structure, which has been in progress since 1976. The main techniques deployed are based on spatial interaction modelling and associated methods of dynamical systems theory, and micro- simulation modelling. Their use in model-building is shown in relation to a wide range of sub-systems, including agriculture, industrial location, retailing, residential location and housing, health and ed…
Making Urban Models More Realistic: Some Strategies for Future Research
A review is undertaken of progress in urban modeling in relation to six stated dimensions of model design and the range of disciplinary contributions which have been made. Particular attention is paid to the effect of recent developments, including the methods now available for dynamic modeling. The discussion of progress is related to the contribution of modeling to planning. The review provides the context for a discussion of priorities for res…
Britton Harris-Distinguished Scholar
"Tobler's "An Alternative Formulation for Spatial-Interaction Modeling: An Observation
It is shown that there is a possible relationship between the maximand used to produce To bier's spatial interaction model and Kullback entropy
The Corner-Shop to Supermarket Transition in Retailing: The Beginnings of Empirical Evidence
It was proposed in an earlier paper that a catastrophe-theory-like mechanism might explain the relatively sudden transition from corner-shop retailing to a supermarket system. In this paper, some extensions of this mechanism and some alternatives are presented; but most importantly the first steps are taken in relating these theoretical explorations to empirical data. We consider change in Nottingham from 1956 to 1979
Optimization in Locational and Transport Analysis
Geography and the Environment: Systems Analytical Methods
(1983). Geography and the Environment: Systems Analytical Methods. Economic Geography: Vol. 59, No. 3, pp. 326-328
Criticality and Urban Retail Structure: Aspects of Catastrophe Theory and Bifurcation
There is now much experience of building models of the location of population and economic activities in cities and associated flows. It has proved more difficult to model the evolution of the underlying structure. A specific example will be used to illustrate both the achievements and the problems in this paper: we model the flows of cash from people at their residences to shopping centres and this enables us to predict the revenue attracted to …
A Family of Spatial Interaction Models, and Associated Developments
This paper shows that the gravity model is not a single model but that there is a whole family of spatial interaction models. The properties of this family are outlined in some detail. Basic concepts of such models can be developed in a variety of ways, and these are illustrated. The paper then outlines a number of other theoretical developments, and is particularly concerned with the disaggregation of such models, with the incorporation of time …
Equilibrium Values and Dynamics of Attractiveness Terms in Production-Constrained Spatial-Interaction Models
A number of mechanisms are explored for modelling equilibrium values of attractiveness terms in production-constrained spatial-interaction models. They include revenue and facility-size balancing, a differential-equation representation of profit maximisation, and mathematical-programming formulations. The different methods turn out to be closely related but offer different and complementary insights. Some dynamic properties of such equilibrium po…
The optimum location and size of shopping centres
Coelho J. D. and Wilson A. G. (1976) The optimum location and size of shopping centres, Reg. Studies 10, 413–421. An optimisation criterion is presented for the size and siting of shopping centres (using the maximisation of consumers' surplus) and this is integrated with a spatial interaction model of shopping trip behaviour. It is shown how the consumers' surplus can be maximised subject to the interaction model equations as constraints within a…
Calibration and testing of the Selnec transport model
Wilson A. G., Hawkins A. F., Hill G. J. and Wagon D. J. (1969) Calibrating and testing of the SELNEC transport model, Reg. Studies 3, 337–350. This paper describes the mathematical model used in the South-East Lancashire-North-East Cheshire Transportation Study. The description concentrates on the innovations which have been introduced in this particular model, with special reference to the distribution and modal split submodels. The process of c…
Economies of Scale and the Existence of Supply-Side Equilibria in a Production-Constrained Spatial-Interaction Model
In previous research it has been shown that discrete changes in spatial patterns of supply in the production-constrained spatial-interaction model arise from changes in parameters such as α and β In this case, pattern changes are explored as a function of the given population distributions. This shows the existence of new kinds of critical points
A comparison of available models of population change
Rees P. H. and Wilson A. G. (1974) A comparison of available models of population change, Reg. Studies 9, 39–61. A hypothetical example and a common algebraic notation are employed in this paper to facilitate a systematic comparison of available models of population growth processes. The models reviewed are the cohort survival model (in “closed system” Leslie form, single region/components form, and in Rogers' multi-regional form), a projection m…
Accounts and Models for Spatial Demographic Analysis I: Aggregate Population
This paper presents accounts and models which can be used for spatial demographic analysis. It is shown that in any time period there are sixteen different kinds of demographic flows for a two region system. These flows can be represented in an accounting table. Some of the minor flows, involving double or triple demographic events such as a birth followed by a migration, cannot be measured directly from data, and an iterative scheme is offered f…
The Dynamics of Urban Spatial Structure: The Progress of a Research Programme
Discusses research centred on the dynamics of urban spatial structure, which has been in progress since 1976. The main techniques deployed are based on spatial interaction modelling and associated methods of dynamical systems theory, and micro- simulation modelling. Their use in model-building is shown in relation to a wide range of sub-systems, including agriculture, industrial location, retailing, residential location and housing, health and ed…
Facility Size versus Distance Travelled: Urban Services and the Fold Catastrophe
The relationship is investigated between facility size and distance travelled to reach facilities. A model is presented of the optimum facility size in relation to size benefits and travel costs. The dynamics of change turn out to be described by the fold catastrophe. The behaviour characterised by the model is analysed in relation to various delay conventions. The implications for the conventional shopping model are explored and an alternative m…
The Dynamics of Urban Spatial Structure: Some Exploratory Results Using Difference Equations and Bifurcation Theory
It is demonstrated that a simple difference equation model, which exhibits complex bifurcation behaviour, can be used to represent change in urban retailing and residential systems. These submodels are combined to form a rudimentary dynamic model of urban spatial structure. A sample of exploratory results are presented for a 169-zone hypothetical system
Accounts and Models for Spatial Demographic Analysis 2: Age-Sex Disaggregated Populations
In an earlier paper, methods were presented for the construction of accounts and models for spatial demographic analysis. In this paper we show how these methods can be extended to deal with age-sex disaggregated populations. At the outset a new notation is introduced which facilitates disaggregation. The accounts are then defined and the basic accounting equations constructed. The appropriate rates and 'at-risk' populations are introduced as a p…
Making Urban Models More Realistic: Some Strategies for Future Research
A review is undertaken of progress in urban modeling in relation to six stated dimensions of model design and the range of disciplinary contributions which have been made. Particular attention is paid to the effect of recent developments, including the methods now available for dynamic modeling. The discussion of progress is related to the contribution of modeling to planning. The review provides the context for a discussion of priorities for res…
The Corner-Shop to Supermarket Transition in Retailing: The Beginnings of Empirical Evidence
It was proposed in an earlier paper that a catastrophe-theory-like mechanism might explain the relatively sudden transition from corner-shop retailing to a supermarket system. In this paper, some extensions of this mechanism and some alternatives are presented; but most importantly the first steps are taken in relating these theoretical explorations to empirical data. We consider change in Nottingham from 1956 to 1979
Papers in Urban and Regional Analysis
Industrial Location Models 2: Weber, Palander, Hotelling, and Extensions within a New Framework
In an earlier paper, the unified theoretical framework was applied to a broad range of alternative approaches to industrial location modelling. These explorations are used in this paper to construct a more general industrial location model from which many of the models can be derived as special cases
Catastrophe Theory and Urban Modelling: An Application to Modal Choice
Some of the elementary ideas underlying catastrophe theory are reviewed and it is shown how the cusp catastrophe can be used in the theory of binary choice. A specific application to modal choice is presented and a number of conjectures are made about the wider application of the method in urban modelling
Reflections
Urban Dynamics: Designing an Integrated Model
"Tobler's "An Alternative Formulation for Spatial-Interaction Modeling: An Observation
It is shown that there is a possible relationship between the maximand used to produce To bier's spatial interaction model and Kullback entropy
Forecasting 'Planning
Research for regional planning
Wilson A. G. (1969) Research for regional planning, Reg. Studies 3, 3–14. Research helps us to understand patterns and processes associated with cities and regions, and includes research into the planning process itself. Thus, this paper concerns itself with the analysis of cities and regions on the one hand, and the process of planning on the other. It is argued that greater analytic capability can only be obtained by an extensive programme of r…
Towards an Applicable Human Geography: Some Developments and Observations
In this paper we outline the development of an applicable human geography founded upon model-based methods. First, we outline some of the recent trends that suggest cautious optimism within the quantitative geography fraternity. Then, we show how a number of common themes are shared by a wide variety of different systems. In each case the application of modelling skills can aid the analysis of these systems-both in terms of our understanding of h…
Spatial dynamics: Classical problems, an integrated modelling approach and system performance
Spatial Dynamics: Classical Problems, an Integrated Modelling Approach and System Performance
The common nature of a range of 'classical’ geographical problems is described. By adopting a particular system description and set of methods, it is shown that it is possible to develop an integrated framework within which the traditional models can be seen as special cases and whose assumptions can be relaxed. It is the ideas of dynamical systems theory, developed in a specific way for geographical systems, which enables such an integrated mode…
Aspects of catastrophe theory and bifurcation theory in regional science
A statistical theory of spatial distribution models
Models in Urban Planning: A Synoptic Review of Recent Literature
This paper attempts to set up a rudimentary conceptual framework for planning, within which the use of models can be studied. This framework is set up in the first section of the paper, and is based on the use of an hierarchical relevance tree. The second section of the paper delineates urban systems which can be usefully modelled, gives a set of rules for model design, and discusses some technique problems associated with model construction. It …
Forecasting 'Planning
Calibration and testing of the Selnec transport model
Wilson A. G., Hawkins A. F., Hill G. J. and Wagon D. J. (1969) Calibrating and testing of the SELNEC transport model, Reg. Studies 3, 337–350. This paper describes the mathematical model used in the South-East Lancashire-North-East Cheshire Transportation Study. The description concentrates on the innovations which have been introduced in this particular model, with special reference to the distribution and modal split submodels. The process of c…
Research for regional planning
Wilson A. G. (1969) Research for regional planning, Reg. Studies 3, 3–14. Research helps us to understand patterns and processes associated with cities and regions, and includes research into the planning process itself. Thus, this paper concerns itself with the analysis of cities and regions on the one hand, and the process of planning on the other. It is argued that greater analytic capability can only be obtained by an extensive programme of r…
Environment and change and environment and policy
A Family of Spatial Interaction Models, and Associated Developments
This paper shows that the gravity model is not a single model but that there is a whole family of spatial interaction models. The properties of this family are outlined in some detail. Basic concepts of such models can be developed in a variety of ways, and these are illustrated. The paper then outlines a number of other theoretical developments, and is particularly concerned with the disaggregation of such models, with the incorporation of time …
Papers in Urban and Regional Analysis
Entropy in Urban and Regional Modelling
Accounts and Models for Spatial Demographic Analysis I: Aggregate Population
This paper presents accounts and models which can be used for spatial demographic analysis. It is shown that in any time period there are sixteen different kinds of demographic flows for a two region system. These flows can be represented in an accounting table. Some of the minor flows, involving double or triple demographic events such as a birth followed by a migration, cannot be measured directly from data, and an iterative scheme is offered f…
Accounts and Models for Spatial Demographic Analysis 2: Age-Sex Disaggregated Populations
In an earlier paper, methods were presented for the construction of accounts and models for spatial demographic analysis. In this paper we show how these methods can be extended to deal with age-sex disaggregated populations. At the outset a new notation is introduced which facilitates disaggregation. The accounts are then defined and the basic accounting equations constructed. The appropriate rates and 'at-risk' populations are introduced as a p…
A comparison of available models of population change
Rees P. H. and Wilson A. G. (1974) A comparison of available models of population change, Reg. Studies 9, 39–61. A hypothetical example and a common algebraic notation are employed in this paper to facilitate a systematic comparison of available models of population growth processes. The models reviewed are the cohort survival model (in “closed system” Leslie form, single region/components form, and in Rogers' multi-regional form), a projection m…
Accounts and Models for Spatial Demographic Analysis 3: Rates and Life Tables
The paper begins by distinguishing, with the aid of the Lexis diagram that plots age against time, three kinds of demographic rate: age-group rates, period rates, and life-table rates. There are single-region and multiregion versions of those rates. In order to measure multiregional life-table rates, life-table accounts are developed together with an accounts based model that estimates the full accounts matrix from available data. These multiregi…
The optimum location and size of shopping centres
Coelho J. D. and Wilson A. G. (1976) The optimum location and size of shopping centres, Reg. Studies 10, 413–421. An optimisation criterion is presented for the size and siting of shopping centres (using the maximisation of consumers' surplus) and this is integrated with a spatial interaction model of shopping trip behaviour. It is shown how the consumers' surplus can be maximised subject to the interaction model equations as constraints within a…
Catastrophe Theory and Urban Modelling: An Application to Modal Choice
Some of the elementary ideas underlying catastrophe theory are reviewed and it is shown how the cusp catastrophe can be used in the theory of binary choice. A specific application to modal choice is presented and a number of conjectures are made about the wider application of the method in urban modelling
Facility Size versus Distance Travelled: Urban Services and the Fold Catastrophe
The relationship is investigated between facility size and distance travelled to reach facilities. A model is presented of the optimum facility size in relation to size benefits and travel costs. The dynamics of change turn out to be described by the fold catastrophe. The behaviour characterised by the model is analysed in relation to various delay conventions. The implications for the conventional shopping model are explored and an alternative m…
Spatial Population Analysis
Equilibrium Values and Dynamics of Attractiveness Terms in Production-Constrained Spatial-Interaction Models
A number of mechanisms are explored for modelling equilibrium values of attractiveness terms in production-constrained spatial-interaction models. They include revenue and facility-size balancing, a differential-equation representation of profit maximisation, and mathematical-programming formulations. The different methods turn out to be closely related but offer different and complementary insights. Some dynamic properties of such equilibrium po…
From comparative statics to dynamics in urban-systems theory
Spatial Population Analysis
Aspects of Catastrophe Theory and Bifurcation Theory in Regional Science
Aspects of catastrophe theory and bifurcation theory in regional science
The Dynamics of Urban Spatial Structure: Some Exploratory Results Using Difference Equations and Bifurcation Theory
It is demonstrated that a simple difference equation model, which exhibits complex bifurcation behaviour, can be used to represent change in urban retailing and residential systems. These submodels are combined to form a rudimentary dynamic model of urban spatial structure. A sample of exploratory results are presented for a 169-zone hypothetical system
Criticality and Urban Retail Structure: Aspects of Catastrophe Theory and Bifurcation
There is now much experience of building models of the location of population and economic activities in cities and associated flows. It has proved more difficult to model the evolution of the underlying structure. A specific example will be used to illustrate both the achievements and the problems in this paper: we model the flows of cash from people at their residences to shopping centres and this enables us to predict the revenue attracted to …
Economies of Scale and the Existence of Supply-Side Equilibria in a Production-Constrained Spatial-Interaction Model
In previous research it has been shown that discrete changes in spatial patterns of supply in the production-constrained spatial-interaction model arise from changes in parameters such as α and β In this case, pattern changes are explored as a function of the given population distributions. This shows the existence of new kinds of critical points
Computer Science (27 works) · Mathematics (19 works) · Geography (15 works) · Sociology (14 works) · Engineering (12 works) · demographic modeling and climate adaptation (10 works) · Land Use and Ecosystem Services (10 works) · Statistics (10 works) · Econometrics (9 works) · Economics (9 works)