title: Randomness and order in the topology of settlement systems.
abstract: "The frequency distribution of settlement links forms the basis of a linear programming methodology which can be utilized to analyze the structure of settlement systems.  The resulting index of system topology is compared to a more conventional measure, Geary's contiguity coefficient, which may be applied when the problem is conceptualized as one of spatial autocorrelation on a k-color map.  The index of linkage similarity that is introduced appears to have a useful advantage over the Geary measure.  The Geary and linkage similarity indices are used to examine the topology of four Canadian and two hypothetical settlement systems."
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Coffey
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Maclean
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Goodchild
mesh_terms: D000569:Americas; D002170:Canada; D003710:Demography; D019049:Developed Countries; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005843:Geography; D009656:North America; D011153:Population; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012106:Research
keywords: Americas; Canada; Demographic Analysis; Demographic Factors; Developed Countries; Geographic Factors; Migration; North America; Northern America; Population; Population Dynamics; Research Methodology; Settlement And Resettlement; Spatial Distribution