scholarly journals European urban polycentrism: a multiscale typology

2009 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Rozenblat
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Urban Governance ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Urban System ◽  
Territorial Development ◽  
Urban Networks ◽  
Urban Policies ◽  
Observation Network ◽  
Regional Processes

Abstract. Several publications of the European Spatial Planning Observation Network (ESPON) suggest that one should be aiming at a polycentric urban system, albeit one which does not unambiguously display properties of territorial development (Vandermotten 2003). Focusing on concentration processes and implications of urban policies, the article draws attention to those regional processes (topographic) and urban networks (topologic) destined to play the double role of catalyst and diffuser of innovations in a diversified European territory. It is argued that various spatial scales and a range of different perceptions of polycentrism be taken into consideration. It is felt that only through the articulation of these differences will the relevant processes and networks be able to function optimally within a context where the interrelations of urban governance are adapted to each territory.

Multiscale accessibility and urban performance

2021 ◽  
pp. 239980832110246
Author(s):  
Nir Kaplan ◽  
David Burg ◽  
Itzhak Omer
Keyword(s):  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Urban System ◽  
Spatial Accessibility ◽  
Spatial Systems ◽  
Urban Scaling ◽  
National Road ◽  
National Systems ◽  
Specific Scale

Accessibility is fundamentally thought to be related to functional, economic, and social performances of cities and geographical systems and, therefore, constitutes an essential aspect for spatial planning. Previous studies focused on cities or metropolitan scales, often disregarding their position within regional and national systems, which can greatly affect their performance. Although accessibility at various spatial scales has been examined, the studies focused on accessibility patterns at different scales, with no reference to the level of accessibility of cities over local, regional, and national scales simultaneously, i.e. multiscale accessibility. This study aims to elucidate the multiscale accessibility level of individual cities and examine its relationship to urban performance in the urban system of Israel. Spatial accessibility was analyzed using the space syntax methodology for the entire national road network across multiple geographic scales—from the local to the national scale. Based on three distinct spatial accessibility systems identified, a unique multiscale accessibility profile was created for individual cities in Israel. Subsequently, each city’s multiscale accessibility profiles were examined against urban performance indicators determined from urban scaling theory. We found that the superiority of cities characterized by high accessibility level plays a role not only for a specific scale but also over scales and spatial systems. Moreover, most urban performance indicators related to the multiscale accessibility profiles of cities, while some multiscale accessibility profiles can be related to over- or under-performance of cities. The findings suggest that pervasive accessibility across spatial scales is inherently connected to urban performance and may indicate on the implementation and interpretation of accessibility. These findings may assist in various aspects of spatial planning at various scales.

Urban Growth Machines—But at What Scale?

2019 ◽  
pp. 233-255
Author(s):  
Neil Brenner
Keyword(s):  
Urban Growth ◽  
Urban Governance ◽  
Analytical Tool ◽  
Territorial Development ◽  
Growth Machine ◽  
Institutional Frameworks ◽  
Historical Investigation ◽  
Growth Machines ◽  
The City

Theories of the urban growth machine have long been a central analytical tool for contemporary research on urban governance. But in what sense are growth machines, in fact, “urban”? To what degree must “the city” serve as the spatial locus for growth machine strategies? To address such questions, this chapter critically evaluates the influential work of urban sociologists John Logan and Harvey Molotch on US growth machine dynamics. In contrast to an influential line of critique that reproaches these authors for their putative methodological localism, it is argued that their framework is, in fact, explicitly attuned to the role of interscalar politico-institutional relays in the construction of urban growth machines. These considerations lead to a dynamically multiscalar reading of the national institutional frameworks that have facilitated the formation of growth machines at the urban scale during the course of US territorial development. This analysis has broad methodological implications for the comparative-historical investigation of urban governance.

Trade, Migration and Urban Networks in Port Cities, c. 1640-1940

2008 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Urban Governance ◽  
Maritime History ◽  
Risk Management Strategy ◽  
Trade Associations ◽  
Urban Networks ◽  
Trade Networks ◽  
The Impact

This study offers an exploration of the role of merchants throughout maritime history through the analysis of maritime trade networks. It attempts to fill in the gaps in the historiography to determine the range of activities that maritime merchants undertook. It is comprised of nine chapters: one introductory, and eight exploring aspects of merchant history across Europe during the period 1640 to 1940. Several major themes recur throughout these studies: the necessity of port networks; the extension of trade networks through merchant migration and in-migration; the assimilation of merchants into port communities; and the impact of urban governance and trade associations on merchant activity. It concludes by claiming merchants across Europe had a more common with one another when approaching risk management than has previously been assumed, and that the at the core of the merchant’s risk management strategy the question of who they could trust with their trade is a universally unifying factor. It suggests that further research on the demographics of ports is the necessary next step in merchant historiography.

scholarly journals Interregional mobility of talent in Spain: The role of job opportunities and qualities of places during the recent economic crisis

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 789-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simón Sánchez-Moral ◽  
Alfonso Arellano ◽  
Roberto Díez-Pisonero
Keyword(s):  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Urban System ◽  
Local Characteristics ◽  
Urban Amenities ◽  
Job Opportunities ◽  
Creative Workers ◽  
Lower Mobility ◽  
Attraction And Retention

This paper seeks to extend our knowledge of the drivers behind talented workers’ mobility within the Spanish urban system and the patterns they may follow. For this purpose, the stock and flows of creative workers (selected on the basis of either the industry-based or occupational approaches) are studied at different spatial scales while also considering the influence of local characteristics as a source of attracting and retaining forces. The study is based on the analysis of a quite novel longitudinal micro-database from the Spanish Social Security office. Under the conditions of lower mobility of creative workers compared with other geographical contexts – a trend worsened by the economic crisis – we show that job opportunities, especially in connection with workers’ social networks, emerge as the most influential attracting factor. Thus, beyond the classic idea that agglomeration economies benefit all residents, we found evidence that the biggest cities, and Madrid in particular, had become ‘escalator regions’, propelling the careers of young creative workers that had been attracted to them. On the contrary, the influence of urban amenities seems limited to the retention of talent. This research aims to contribute to dealing with the challenge of upgrading local productive forces after the economic crisis and to develop tailor-made talent attraction and retention strategies

POLÍTICAS DE ESCALA E A CONFORMAÇÃO DE ESTRATÉGIAS-REDE DAS AÇÕES COLETIVAS NO ESPAÇO SISALEIRO DA BAHIA

GEOgraphia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (41) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Agripino Souza Coelho Neto
Keyword(s):  
Political Action ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Spatial Behavior ◽  
Collective Actions ◽  
Collective Behaviors ◽  
Rural Workers ◽  
Scale Levels ◽  
Scale Network ◽  
Comme Point

Resumo: O presente texto pretende analisar o papel das ações coletivas (associações, cooperativas e sindicatos de agricultores) no acionamento e na ativação das escalas geográficas para o desenvolvimento de suas atividades. O estudo foi realizado no Espaço Sisaleiro da Bahia (Brasil), onde um conjunto significativo de associações e cooperativas de agricultores e sindicatos de trabalhadores rurais tem se organizado em torno das escalas espaciais para viabilizar sua ação político-institucional e econômico-produtiva. A ação desses coletivos organizados em rede tem permitido a conformação e o fortalecimento de novas escalas de ação política, como no caso da criação do conselho territorial para viabilização da implantação de políticas de governo. Cooperativas, associações e sindicatos se apoiam nas escalas para compor organizações em diferentes níveis escalares (escala local, escala regional, escala do estado federado e escala nacional), buscando fortalecer seus propósitos e ampliar seu poder de barganha e influência. Analisando o comportamento espacial dessas variadas modalidades de ações coletivas, é possível considerar que elas desenvolvem políticas de escala, ou seja, a escala passa a significar muito mais que uma categoria de análise, mas se torna uma categoria da prática social e política. Nesse sentido, parte-se do pressuposto de que os grupos humanos produzem e tornam efetivas suas próprias escalas visando a alcançar suas metas e organizar seus comportamentos coletivos. Palavras-chave: Escala. Rede. Cooperativismo. Associativismo. Sindicalismo. Espaço Sisaleiro da Bahia. SCALE POLICIES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NETWORK STRATEGIES OF COLLECTIVE ACTIONS IN THE SISAL REGION OF BAHIA (BRAZIL)Abstract: This paper aims to analyze the role of collective initiatives of associations, cooperatives and farmers’ unions in the mobilization and activation of geographical scales for the development of their activities. The study was conducted in the Sisal Region of Bahia (Brazil), where a significant number of farmers associations and cooperatives and rural workers’ unions have been organizing their actions around spatial scales to enable their political-institutional and economic-productive influence. The gathering and action of these organized groups in a network have allowed the establishment and strengthening of new scales of political action, as seem in the case of the creation of a territorial council to facilitate the implementation of government policies. Cooperatives, associations, and unions rely on scales to form organizations at different scale levels (local, regional, federal and national scales), seeking to strengthen their performance and increase their bargaining power and influence. After analyzing the spatial behavior of these various forms of collective actions, it’s reasonable to say that they develop scale policies, which means the scale becomes more than a category of analysis, but also a category of social and political practice. In this sense, it’s assumed that human groups produce and utilize the scales in order to reach their goals and organize their own collective behaviors. Keywords: Scale. Network. Cooperativism. Associativism. Syndicalism. Sisal Region of Bahia. POLITIQUES D’ÉCHELLE ET FORMATION DES STRATÉGIES-RÉSEAU DES ACTIONS COLLECTIVES DANS LA RÉGION DU SISAL DE L’ÉTAT DE BAHIA Resumé: Cet article analyse le rôle des actions collectives (associations, coopératives et syndicats d’agriculteurs) dans la prise en compte et l’utilisation des échelles géographiques pour le développement de leurs activités. L’étude a été menée dans la région du sisal à Bahia (Brésil), où un ensemble important d’associations et de coopératives d’agriculteurs et de syndicats de travailleurs ruraux se sont organisés autour d’échelles spatiales pour que puisse être mise en place leur action politique et institutionnelle, économique et productive. L’action de ces groupements organisés en réseaux a permis la conformation et le renforcement de nouvelles échelles d’action politique, comme lors de la création du conseil territorial, pour permettre la mise en œuvre des politiques gouvernementales. Les coopératives, les associations et les syndicats prennent les échelles comme point de départ pour former des organisations à différents niveaux scalaires (échelle locale, échelle régionale, échelle fédérée et échelle nationale), dans le but de renforcer leurs objectifs et d’accroître leur pouvoir de négociation et d’influence. Si nous analysons le comportement spatial de ces diverses formes d’action collective il est possible de considérer qu’ils développent des politiques d’échelle, à savoir l’échelle vient signifier bien plus qu’une catégorie d’analyse, puisqu’elle devient une catégorie de la pratique sociale et politique. En ce sens, on suppose que les groupes humains produisent et rendent efficaces leurs propres échelles pour atteindre leurs objectifs et organiser leurs comportements collectifs. Mots-clés: Échelle. Réseau. Coopérativisme. Associations. Syndicalisme. Région du sisal de l’État de Bahia.

scholarly journals Effective Implementation of Urban Agendas through Urban Action Structures (UAS): The Case of the Basque Country

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6059
Author(s):  
Irati Otamendi-Irizar ◽  
Olatz Grijalba ◽  
Alba Arias ◽  
Claudia Pennese ◽  
Rufino Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Social Structures ◽  
Prospective Analysis ◽  
Sustainable Cities ◽  
Urban Policies ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
Catalytic Capacity

Cities are the main contributors to pollution, resource consumption and social inequalities. Therefore, they should play a key role in the path towards a more sustainable scenario in line with SDGs and different Urban Agendas. However, there are still difficulties in their implementation and citizen can play a central role. This paper presents the Urban Action Structures (UAS), understood as entities with a catalytic capacity with respect to innovative urban policies. Methodologically, firstly, a prospective analysis from regional to international level has been developed, making it possible to identify innovative lines of action in the field of sustainable cities. Secondly, the study has focused on identifying and studying UAS that can make it possible to implement the lines of action previously identified. This paper has shown that there are already social structures that can be understood as UAS, since they implement actions aligned with the priorities of the Urban Agenda for the Basque Country and, therefore, of the SDGs. The research concludes that UAS can play a key role in facilitating the implementation of Urban Agendas. Hence, urban policies should favor the generation of UAS, in order to promote long-term urban development and to foster a more sustainable spatial planning.

scholarly journals The effects of armed conflict on forest cover changes across temporal and spatial scales in the Colombian Amazon

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar V. Bautista-Cespedes ◽  
Louise Willemen ◽  
Augusto Castro-Nunez ◽  
Thomas A. Groen
Keyword(s):  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Peace Negotiations ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Forest Cover Changes ◽  
The Government ◽  
Colombian Amazon

AbstractThe Amazon rainforest covers roughly 40% of Colombia’s territory and has important global ecological functions. For more than 50 years, an internal war in the country has shaped this region. Peace negotiations between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) initiated in 2012 resulted in a progressive de-escalation of violence and a complete ceasefire in 2016. This study explores the role of different deforestation drivers including armed conflict variables, in explaining deforestation for three periods between 2001 and 2015. Iterative regression analyses were carried out for two spatial extents: the entire Colombian Amazon and a subset area which was most affected by deforestation. The results show that conflict variables have positive relationships with deforestation; yet, they are not among the main variables explaining deforestation. Accessibility and biophysical variables explain more variation. Nevertheless, conflict variables show divergent influence on deforestation depending on the period and scale of analysis. Based on these results, we develop deforestation risk maps to inform the design of forest conservation efforts in the post-conflict period.

scholarly journals City intelligence for enhancing urban performance value: a conceptual study on data decomposition in smart cities

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 191-222
Author(s):  
Karima Kourtit
Keyword(s):  
Urban Planning ◽  
Urban Policy ◽  
Urban Governance ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Urban System ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Urban Life ◽  
Data Decomposition ◽  
Blowing Up ◽  
Technology Age

AbstractThe contemporary ‘digital age’ prompts the need for a re-assessment of urban planning principles and practices. Against the background of current data-rich urban planning, this study seeks to address the question whether an appropriate methodological underpinning can be provided for smart city governance based on a data-driven planning perspective. It posits that the current digital technology age has a drastic impact on city strategies and calls for a multi-faceted perspective on future urban development, termed here the ‘XXQ-principle’ (which seeks to attain the highest possible level of quality for urban life). Heterogeneity in urban objectives and data embodied in the XXQ-principle can be systematically addressed by a process of data decomposition (based on a ‘cascade principle’), so that first, higher-level urban policy domains are equipped with the necessary (‘big’) data provisions, followed by lower-ranking urban governance levels. The conceptual decomposition principle can then be translated into a comprehensive hierarchical model architecture for urban intelligence based on the ‘flying disc’ model, including key performance indicators (KPIs). This new model maps out the socio-economic arena of a complex urban system according to the above cascade system. The design of this urban system architecture and the complex mutual connections between its subsystems is based on the ‘blowing-up’ principle that originates from a methodological deconstruction-reconstruction paradigm in the social sciences. The paper advocates the systematic application of this principle to enhance the performance of smart cities, called the XXQ performance value. This study is not empirical, although it is inspired by a wealth of previous empirical research. It aims to advance conceptual and methodological thinking on principles of smart urban planning.

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