Energy and materials flows in the urban space economy

Abstract Three models are presented which illustrate the way in which urban and regional analysts can contribute to the study of the changing energy situation. The first is a general model which uses entropy maximizing methods to represent the flows of energy and commodities in such a way that spatial flows are consistent with postulated inter-industry relations and materials balance constraints. The second is a development of currently available transport models, but shows how, for example, “rationing” could be incorporated. The third is an adaption of the Lowry model. Commodity flows are made explicit, and it is shown how, if energy consumption functions are defined, the extended model can be used to study the relationship of energy supply and urban form.