ABSTRACT
Introduction The study of the logistic equation as viewed from ecology indicates that a simple deterministic system can present periodic oscillation and chaotic behavior along with the model parameter change (May 1976). However, why the simple model contains complex dynamics still remains ambiguous. Urban study can provide us with facilities for exploring the springhead of complicated dynamics of logistic process. In the urbanization process,
the level of urbanization follows the sigmoid curve and can be described with the logistic function (Karmeshu 1988; United Nations 1980; United Nations 1993). Moreover, the urban system and ecological system show comparability in several aspects (Dendrinos 1992; Dendrinos and Mullally 1985), which implies that the process of urbanization might have period-doubling bifurcation or chaotic dynamics. In theory, urban system and the process of urbanization can generate complex behaviors such as chaos (e.g., Dendrinos 1996; Dendrinos and El Naschie 1994; Nijkamp 1990; Nijkamp and Reggiani 1998; Van der Leeuw and McGlade 1997; Wong and Fotheringham 1990).
