The concept of accessibility: A search for an operational form

• Published in: Regional studies 1971-07, Vol.5 (2), p.101-107
• Main Author: Ingram, D.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accessibilité intégrale; Accessibilité relative; Concept d'accessibilité; Concept of accessibility; Distance measures; Entfernungsmaße; Gesamtzugänglichkeit; Hamilton, Ontario; Integral accessibility; Mesures de distance; Oberflächen; Relative accessibility; Surfaces; Zugänglichkeit; Zugänglichkeitsbegriff relative; Гамильтон, Онтарио; Измерение дистанций; Интегральная достижимость; Концепция достижимости; Относительная достижимость; Площади
• ISSN: 0034-3404; 1360-0591
• DOI: 10.1080/09595237100185131

Ingram D. R. (1971) The concept of accessibility: A search for an operational form, Reg. Studies 5, 101-107. The importance of the concept of accessibility in the literature of urban studies requires that a method be found of describing quantitatively the accessibility at a point. The paper is concerned with, firstly, a set of definitions related to the concept of accessibility. A distinction is made between the relative accessibility between two points and the integral, or total, accessibility at a point. Secondly, various operational forms of these definitions are illustrated with reference to the Hamilton, Ontario, urban area. The derivation of the various measures that are developed is discussed. A measure based on the normal, or Gaussian curve is recommended as the most suitable form for determining the integral accessibility at a given point.