Impact of Polycentric Urban Systems on Intra-regional Disparities: A Microregional Approach

0446021 - ÚGN 2016 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Malý, Jiří
Impact of Polycentric Urban Systems on Intra-regional Disparities: A Microregional Approach.
European Planning Studies. Roč. 24, č. 1 (2016), s. 116-138. ISSN 0965-4313. E-ISSN 1469-5944
Institutional support: RVO:68145535
Keywords : spatial development * polycentricity * intra-regional disparities * Czech Republic
Subject RIV: DE - Earth Magnetism, Geodesy, Geography
Impact factor: 1.332, year: 2016
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2015.1054792

From the normative perspective of EU regional policy, polycentric spatial development has been seen as an effective tool to overcome regional disparities since the adoption of the European Spatial Development Perspective. However, the impact of a polycentric spatial structure on equal spatial development is ambiguous and still waits for its clarification. This paper examines the relationship by focusing on the local scale, where medium-sized towns play a crucial role as local centres in everyday human lives. Using functional regions of the Czech Republic, this paper defines polycentric urban systems at the micro-regional scale. Subsequently, the level of mono/polycentricity is compared with intra-regional disparities. Based on the results of the analysis, it can be argued that the connection of polycentricity with balanced spatial development is strongly determined by selected indicators. However, the findings do not provide evidence about the strictly positive impact of polycentricity on intra-regional disparities. In a light of these results, the conclusion is rather sceptical about the unique role of polycentricity in spatial development and due to the lack of similar studies, further research is recommended.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0247997