Long Term Evolution of the Size Distribution of Portuguese Cities

In this paper we study the evolution of the Portuguese urban system from 1864 to 2001. We apply the rank-size model and use rank-size estimates to describe the evolution of city-size hierarchy. Non paretian behaviour of the distribution is examined by adding a quadratic term to the basic equation of the model. Our results enhance two different processes in the evolution of urban system: until the middle of the twentieth century urban growth was accompanied by population concentration in the largest cities and proliferation of small cities; afterwards growth benefits middle size cities, reinforced in the last decades by heavy population losses in the two largest cities. From the association between the characteristics and evolving pattern of city size distribution and the spatial pattern of urban growth, it appears that the non paretian behaviour of city size distribution in the last decades can be linked to the particular growth process of cities located in the proximity of the central cities of the two metropolitan areas of Portugal’s mainland. In order to obtain a better understanding of the dynamics of the Portuguese urban system we examine the movements in the ranking of cities. We also analyse the existence of spatial correlation in the process of urban hierarchy restructuring.

The evolution of city size distribution in Portugal: 1864-2001

The rank-size model - which states that the size distribution of cities in a country follows a Pareto distribution - has been recognized as one of those stylised facts or amazing empirical regularities, in spatial economics. A common problem in city size distribution studies concerns the definition of “cities”, namely the consistency of those definitions over time. In this paper we use a city-proper data base which uses a consistent definition of cities from 1864 to 1991. Portugal is a country with long established national borders and whose mainland urban system shows a constant number of cities over that period. In Portugal, empirical evidence on city size distribution based on census data shows that two large cities dominate the urban system, associated with a large number of very small cities and a clear deficit of medium-size cities. In this paper we analyse the evolution of the rank size exponent and examine the effect of varying city size cut-offs on the estimated value of that exponent. Then, we study the deviations of the rank-size distribution from linearity. Finally, we explore the dynamics underlying the evolution of the urban system by examining the relationship between city growth rates and city size. Keywords: city size distribution, Zipf’s law, rank-size, urban hierarchy, urban primacy

The evolution of city size distribution in Portugal: 1864-2001

The rank-size model - which states that the size distribution of cities in a country follows a Pareto distribution - has been recognized as one of those stylized facts or amazing empirical regularities, in spatial economics. A common problem in city size distribution studies concerns the definition of “cities”, namely the consistency of those definitions over time. In this paper we use a city-proper data base which uses a consistent definition of cities from 1864 to 1991. Portugal is a country with long established national borders and whose mainland urban system shows a constant number of cities over that period. In Portugal, empirical evidence on city size distribution based on census data shows that two large cities dominate the urban system, associated with a large number of very small cities and a clear deficit of medium-size cities. In this paper we analyse the evolution of the rank size exponent and examine the effect of varying city size cut-offs on the estimate value of that exponent. Then, we study the deviations of the rank-size distribution from linearity. Finally, we explore the dynamics underlying the evolution of the urban system by examining the relationship between city growth rates and city size.city size distribution, Zipf’s law, urban hierarchy, urban primacy

Long term evolution of the size distribution of Portuguese cities

In this paper we study the evolution of the Portuguese urban system from 1864 to 2001. We apply the rank-size model and use rank-size estimates to describe the evolution of city-size hierarchy. NonParetian behavior of the distribution is examined by adding a quadratic term to the basic equation of the model. Our results enhance two different processes in the evolution of urban system: until the middle of the twentieth century urban growth was accompanied by population concentration in the largest cities; afterwards growth benefits middle size cities, reinforced in the last decades by heavy population losses in the two largest cities. From the association between the characteristics and evolving pattern of city size distribution and the spatial pattern of urban growth, it appears that the nonParetian behavior of city size distribution in the last decades can be linked to the particular growth process of cities located in the proximity of the central cities of the two metropolitan areas of mainland Portugal. In order to obtain a better understanding of the dynamics of the Portuguese urban system we examine the movements in the ranking of cities, through a Markov chain process. We also analyse the existence of spatial correlation in the process of urban hierarchy restructuring.Urban hierarchy, rank-size distribution, urban growth, Markov processes

Consequences of the 2003 CAP Reform on a Mediterranean Agricultural System of Portugal

Agriculture in dry land Mediterranean areas faces considerable level of production risk as result of the unpredictable weather. Governmental income stabilisation instruments have had a major impact on Mediterranean farms in changing land allocation, and changing income levels and variability. Using a mathematical programming model, the impact of the 2003 CAP reform on land allocation and on income variability is evaluated for a Portuguese Mediterranean farm. The results show an increase of extensification of production activities. They also show an increase in total farm income, a reduction in relative total income variability and an increase in relative production income variability.agricultural policy modelling, decoupling, Mediterranean, Agricultural and Food Policy, Q18, C61,

Typology of the Portuguese Farm Holdings and Taxation Regimes

The study describes the evolution, since the Portuguese accession to the European Community, in 1986, of the different types of farm holdings (household-farms, corporations, co-operatives and other legal forms), using the Agricultural Census data. In addition, the experience of agricultural taxation in Portugal in the context of the ongoing policy debate about the tax structure and tax reform affecting agricultural producers is addressed for different categories of farms. The research also examines the problems associated with tax regimes. A major problem has been the measurement of the actual taxable farm income. The different measures to estimate farm income are explained for the various taxation regimes.Agriculture, Holdings, Legal Personality, Portugal, Taxes, Agricultural and Food Policy,

O rural através de dois olhares no filme. Viajo porque preciso, volto porque te amo

Esta análise se detém sobre as representações do rural nordestino brasileiro no filme Viajo porque preciso, volto porque te amo, dos diretores Karim Aïnouz e Marcelo Gomes, lançado em 2009. Aqui partimos do pressuposto que uma obra cinematográfica, mesmo que resultante da visão subjetiva de seu narrador fílmico, ao ser entendida como um produto cultural de uma sociedade, também carrega em seu discurso representações dessa sociedade e de seu tempo histórico. Neste artigo, o exame dessas representações será realizado por meio da análise dos elementos significantes da linguagem cinematográfica (enquadramentos, iluminação, movimentos de câmera etc.) utilizados na construção da narrativa do filme em questão, já que acreditamos que é a partir da escolha de cada elemento de linguagem que um filme pode revelar a seus espectadores as representações estéticas e ideológicas de determinado tempo social.This analysis focuses on rural representations of the Brazilian northeastern backwoods in the movie “I travel because I need it, I return because I love you”, directed by Karim Aïnouz and Marcelo Gomes and released in 2009. We assume that a cinematographic work, even if resulting from the subjective vision of a cinematographic narrator, when we understood as a society cultural product, also carries in its discourse representations of that society and its historical time. In this article, the examination of these representations will be performed through the analysis of the significant elements of cinematographic language (framing, lighting, camera movements, etc.) used in the narrative construction, since we believe that it is from the choice of every element of language that a movie can reveal to its viewers the aesthetic and ideological representations of a given social time

Portuguese millennials and green buying behavioral intentions: application of the theory of planned behavior

The awareness towards the topic of sustainability has grown, forcing a shift in the market. Consumers are now increasingly demanding for green products and services and to fulfill it, companies need to change their strategies and focus on green marketing. Millennials are the most informed social group due to the constant connectivity via Internet to the outer world and due to that, they are the leaders of this green movement. Their heterogeneity difficult the goal of companies of meeting their customers’ expectations and therefore, it is crucial to acknowledge which are their motivations to develop a purchase intention. A framework to study the determinants of a behavioral intention (Theory of Planned Behavior) was created based on three predictors: attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control. However, this framework has opportunities of improvement since it does not consider experiences of an individual nor his identity. This research aims to fulfill this gap and analyze which are the most relevant determinants of behavior intention within the Portuguese millennials. Quantitative data was collected through a survey and that information was analyzed through PLS structural equation modeling. The results identify subjective norm, willingness to pay, green self-identity and past experience, as determinants of buying behavioral intention within the Portuguese millennials, meanwhile attitude does not impact it directly.O tópico da sustentabilidade tem ganho uma grande relevância nos dias de hoje, forçando uma mudança de paradigma no mercado. Os consumidores exigem cada vez mais a comercialização de produtos e serviços verdes e para satisfazer estas exigências, as empresas têm que mudar a sua estratégia, apostando em estratégias de Marketing verde. Os millennials são a geração mais instruída devido à ligação com o resto do mundo via Internet, levando-os a ser líderes deste movimento verde. A sua heterogeneidade dificulta o objetivo das empresas de satisfazer as expectativas dos consumidores, tornando-se crucial entender quais as suas motivações para exercer um comportamento de compra. Foi criado um modelo para estudar os determinantes de intenção de comportamento (teoria do comportamento planeado) com base em três variáveis: atitude, norma subjetiva e controlo percecionado. Contudo, este modelo apresenta oportunidades de melhoria considerando que este não analisa experiência nem identidade. Este projeto visa acrescentar valor nesta área através do estudo sobre os principais determinantes na intenção de compra verde dos millennials Portugueses. Para efetuar este estudo foi necessário recolher dados quantitativos através de um questionário, tendo estes sido analisados através de equações estruturais. Os resultados identificaram a norma subjetiva, a disponibilidade de pagamento, a identidade verde e a experiência passada, como determinantes da intenção de comportamento de compra verde. A atitude relevou-se como não sendo um determinante, não impactando diretamente a intenção de comportamento de compra verde