Breaking with the spatial-cycle model: the shift towards ‘syncurbanization’ in polycentric urban regions
- Author(s)
- Alois Humer, Rodrigo Cardoso, Evert Meijers
- Abstract
This paper criticizes traditional models of urban-regional expansion, which depart from monocentric ideals of urban core and ring. The original spatial-cycle model (SCM) suggests repeating stages of urbanization, suburbanization, disurbanization and re-urbanization. We reconceptualize the relations between core(s) and ring(s) to test the formation of urban regions under mono-, multi- and polycentric trajectories. The analysis employs local population data in functional urban regions in Finland, Austria and the Netherlands, three countries with different urbanization patterns, for the period 1961-2011. Results suggest a 'break of the cycle' in polycentric regions and a shift towards a different period, which we call 'syncurbanization'.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Geography and Regional Research
- External organisation(s)
- Delft University of Technology, Utrecht University
- Journal
- Regional Studies
- Volume
- 56
- Pages
- 21-35
- No. of pages
- 15
- ISSN
- 0034-3404
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2021.1969008
- Publication date
- 09-2021
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 507002 Population geography, 507011 Spatial research
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Environmental Science, General Social Sciences
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/056e05f4-e856-4bca-89a0-fd2641b6d998