The distribution of retail rental value and product variety under a complex formation of urban shopping areas: the interactivity under bid-rent

One of the fundamental theories for determining rental value and spatial distribution of a retail clustering area is the Bid-rent. The highest bidder is able to obtain the best location then the second, third, and so on and so forth, and an orderly retail pattern and the central point (with highest rental value) is then determined. However, under intense competitions and an easier transportation system in mature urban shopping areas, the highest pitch shifts from time to time, or even becoming multi-centers. And in Asian and other high-density countries, retail activities also tend to grow vertically to higher floor levels. This also alters the distribution of rental value. This research uses a unique spatial database combining the detailed product variety and rental value of central Taipei shopping area (with several subshopping areas) in Taiwan. The database contains over 5,000 high-street stores within an approximately 10-20 square-km area, which allows us to observe the detail patterns of retail rental value and product variety. This paper then compares the results with the bid-rent curve suggested by Scott(1970), and shows a preliminary model for the interactions.