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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Built Environ.
Sec. Urban Science
Volume 11 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2025.1469890
This article is part of the Research Topic Data-Driven Urban Dynamics: Sustainable Urbanization and Mobility in Peripheral Areas View all articles

Integrating Lotka-Volterra Dynamics and Gravity Modeling for Regional Population Forecasting

Provisionally accepted
  • Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    This study integrates the Lotka-Volterra prey-predator equations with a probabilistic adaptation of the Gravity model to forecast population dynamics across three regional clusters in Quebec, Canada. By leveraging these models, we capture the nonlinear interdependencies and spatial interactions often overlooked in traditional demographic forecasting methods. Building upon prior works in ecological modeling and spatial interaction theories, our research underscores the importance of embedding robust demographic theories into population estimation practices. Our empirical findings, validated within the Quebec context, highlight the significance of theoretical frameworks, particularly prey-predator interactions, in guiding accurate population forecasts and regional planning strategies. The study explores the intricacies of regional competition and cooperation dynamics, promoting sustainable, balanced, and long-term population growth patterns. By merging advanced mathematical modeling with demographic theory, our research marks a significant advancement in demographic methodologies, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding population changes and their implications for policy and planning. Furthermore, the model's adaptability demonstrates its potential for application in diverse regional contexts worldwide, enhancing the precision and reliability of population forecasting on a global scale.

    Keywords: Prey-Predator Theory, Lotka-Volterra model, Probabilistic Gravity Model, spatial interaction models, Demometry, Demographic value

    Received: 24 Jul 2024; Accepted: 06 Jan 2025.

    Copyright: © 2025 Özdilek. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Ünsal Özdilek, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.