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Functional Polycentricity: A Formal Definition in Terms of Social Network Analysis

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  • Nick Green

    (Centre for Urban and Regional Ecology, School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester, Humanities Building, Bridgeford Street, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK, c_nick_green@mac.com)

Abstract

Polycentricity is often used descriptively with regard to a regional system of settlements, usually referred to as a polycentric urban region (PUR). Although presented in much of the literature as in essence a morphological concept, polycentricity possesses a functional element that receives less attention. Polycentricity is also seen as a normative concept. However, it has not been rigorously defined using formal techniques. This paper argues that defining polycentricity in terms of both morphology and function is possible by drawing on techniques originating in social network analysis. The paper sets out a formal definition and derivation of functional polycentricity based on these techniques, which is then extended to a derivation of an index of regional functional polycentricity. The paper sets out worked examples to show how the techniques described might be utilised. The paper closes with a discussion of issues that may arise when putting these definitions into practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Nick Green, 2007. "Functional Polycentricity: A Formal Definition in Terms of Social Network Analysis," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 44(11), pages 2077-2103, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:44:y:2007:i:11:p:2077-2103
    DOI: 10.1080/00420980701518941
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Antti Vasanen, 2013. "Spatial Integration and Functional Balance in Polycentric Urban Systems: A Multi-Scalar Approach," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 104(4), pages 410-425, September.
    2. Feng Lan & Huili Da & Haizhen Wen & Ying Wang, 2019. "Spatial Structure Evolution of Urban Agglomerations and Its Driving Factors in Mainland China: From the Monocentric to the Polycentric Dimension," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, January.
    3. Marcińczak, Szymon & Bartosiewicz, Bartosz, 2018. "Commuting patterns and urban form: Evidence from Poland," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 31-39.
    4. Alireza Salahi Moghadam & Ali Soltani & Bruno Parolin, 2018. "Transforming and changing urban centres: the experience of Sydney from 1981 to 2006," Letters in Spatial and Resource Sciences, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 37-53, March.
    5. David Burgalassi & Chiara Agnoletti & Leonardo Piccini, 2019. "Polycentricity and regional development: an analytical framework and some evidence from Italy," Discussion Papers 2019/249, Dipartimento di Economia e Management (DEM), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
    6. Paolo Veneri, 2010. "Urban Polycentricity and the Costs of Commuting: Evidence from Italian Metropolitan Areas," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(3), pages 403-429, September.
    7. Wen Chen & Komali Yenneti & Yehua Dennis Wei & Feng Yuan & Jiawei Wu & Jinlong Gao, 2019. "Polycentricity in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration (YRDUA): More Cohesion or More Disparities?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-18, June.
    8. Franz, Peter & Hornych, Christoph, 2009. "Political Institutionalisation and Economic Specialisation in Polycentric Metropolitan Regions – The Case of the East-German ‘Saxony Triangle’," IWH Discussion Papers 6/2009, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH).
    9. Zhen Liu & Shenghe Liu, 2018. "Polycentric Development and the Role of Urban Polycentric Planning in China’s Mega Cities: An Examination of Beijing’s Metropolitan Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-14, May.
    10. Zhanna A. Mingaleva & Marina Sheresheva & Matvey Oborin & Tatyana Gvarliani, 2017. "Networking of small cities to gain sustainability," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 5(1), pages 140-156, September.
    11. Martínez Sánchez-Mateos, Héctor S. & Sanz, Inmaculada Mohíno & Francés, José Mª Ureña & Trapero, Eloy Solís, 2014. "Road accessibility and articulation of metropolitan spatial structures: the case of Madrid (Spain)," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 61-73.
    12. Yong Liu & Peilei Fan & Wenze Yue & Jingnan Huang & Dong Li & Zongshun Tian, 2019. "Assessing Polycentric Urban Development in Mountainous Cities: The Case of Chongqing Metropolitan Area, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-15, May.
    13. Amedeo Ganciu & Mara Balestrieri & Cristina Imbroglini & Fabrizio Toppetti, 2018. "Dynamics of Metropolitan Landscapes and Daily Mobility Flows in the Italian Context. An Analysis Based on the Theory of Graphs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-27, February.
    14. Kyusang Kwon & Minho Seo, 2018. "Does the Polycentric Urban Region Contribute to Economic Performance? The Case of Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-10, November.
    15. Martijn J. Burger & Evert J. Meijers & Frank G. van Oort, 2014. "Editorial: The Development and Functioning of Regional Urban Systems," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(12), pages 1921-1925, December.
    16. Korzeniak Grażyna, 2014. "Diversification of the dynamics of population size and the number of the employed in small and medium-sized Polish towns from 1995 to 2010," Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, Sciendo, vol. 24(24), pages 1-11, June.
    17. Panagiotis NIKOLOPOULOS & Andreas GKOUZOS & Athanasios PAPADASKALOPOULOS, 2018. "Morphological Polycentricity In Southern Europe: Evidence At The National Level," Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management, Research Centre in Public Administration and Public Services, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 13(4), pages 73-93, November.
    18. Somwrita Sarkar & Hao Wu & David Levinson, 2020. "Sarkar, Somwrita, Wu, Hao and Levinson, D. (2020) Measuring polycentricity via network flows, spatial interaction, and percolation," Working Papers 2022-01, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    19. Davide Burgalassi & Tommaso Luzzati, 2015. "Urban spatial structure and environmental emissions: a survey of the literature and some empirical evidence for Italian NUTS-3 regions," Discussion Papers 2015/199, Dipartimento di Economia e Management (DEM), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

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