La función del sistema de ciudades en el desarrollo regional. Potencialidad y limitaciones de la región urbana polinuclear vasca

The location of productive activity and population pushed forth the proceses of industrialization and a model of urban development concentrated in large cities and metropolitan areas. The impact of structural crisis in the last decades of the previous century on industrial cities and regions was very acute and led to changes in the model. Revitalization proceses during the following decades have been accompanied of more disperse location patterns that are generating polynuclear urban regions in different territories. In this article we examine their potential for advancing regional economic development in a way similar to that of large metrópolis. At the same time, we bring this issue to the basque reality, analyzing major territorial planning initiatives. Finally, we conclude with some comments on the urban development model for the Basque Autonomous Region.