Territorial Cohesion: The Urban Dimension

0517153 - ÚGN 2020 CH eng M - Část monografie knihy
Malý, Jiří
Polycentric urban systems and territorial cohesion.
Territorial Cohesion: The Urban Dimension. Cham: Springer, 2019 - (Medeiros, E.), s. 69-89. ISBN 978-3-030-03385-9
Institucionální podpora: RVO:68145535
Klíčová slova: polycentricity * urban systems * territorial cohesion
Obor OECD: Urban studies (planning and development)
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-03386-6_4

This chapter outlines the idea of polycentric development, one of the core principles of territorial cohesion discourse. As a normative and ideological
vision of balanced spatial development, polycentric urban systems are seen as effective spatial arrangements overcoming regional disparities. Commonly shared policy imaginaries of polycentricity, however, have yet to fully reflect the complex nature of urban system dynamics. The chapter offers deeper insight into the three crucial facets of polycentricity: scale-dependency, normativity versus factual practices, and co-operative relationships, which together contribute to the ambiguous and multiinterpretative character of polycentric development. As a scale-dependent concept,
polycentricity has various forms and implications for urban systems at different geographical scales. Consequently, universal applicability of this normative concept is hampered by colourful urban spaces and overwhelming territorial diversity. Even if fundamental spatial principles of polycentricity are fulfilled, existing territorial settings and urban relations may diverge from cohesive spatial patterns and lead to increased urban competition. Finally, co-operative relationships among urban centres within polycentric spatial structures are not fully developed because of excessive institutional fragmentation and a missing framework for tackling collectively shared
problems. These issues are discussed within a broader theoretical debate on urban systems and territorial cohesion while referring to the essential studies which serve as evidence of the intricate all-encompassing analytical grasp of polycentricity.

Trvalý link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0302453