Spectrum Analysis of Population Data in German Reunification

We propose a group-theoretic double Fourier spectrum for the hexagonal lattice as a systematic means of capturing pattern formation in real population data. Among many patterns that can be self-organized from a uniform state, we focus on megalopolis, rhombic, and core–satellite patterns (a downtown surrounded by hexagonal satellite cities). We introduce a principal vector as a superposition of a few predominant patterns to grasp the multi-scale nature of population agglomeration patterns. Benchmark spectra for these patterns are advanced and are found in Germany’s population data. Incremental population data of Germany are processed to detect a shift in predominant population increase/decrease patterns from 1987 to 2011 in the pre- and post-unification periods. Chapter 2 advances typical patterns on a hexagonal lattice. Chapter 5 is a theoretical foundation of the spectrum analysis.