Tunisian Coastal Cities Attractiveness and Amenities

The aim of this paper is to explain the density variation among coastal cities by the availability of amenities inside cities. A spatial index of cities attractiveness is computed using the Kulldorff scan statistic technique. Spatial pattern of density clusters revealed that north delegations are more attractive than south delegations and historical business centers of big cities become less attractive for residential population. To assess the spatial interdependence between delegations and the impact of amenities on spatial density pattern we use a spatial Durbin model. Estimation results show delegations with high level of basic amenities like health and educational amenities are the more attractive. Delegations with high level of luxury amenities like clinics kids clubs and post offices exert a positive spillover effect on surrounding delegations. The lack of hospitals in a typical delegation exerted a negative indirect effect on population density inside surrounding delegations.