EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - The role, specific situation and potentials of urban areas as nodes in a polycentric development

The role, specific situation and potentials of urban areas as nodes in a polycentric development - ESPON 1.1.1

Introduction

ESPON project 1.1.1 was started because polycentricity is a key policy aim of the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP). According to the ESDP a more polycentric urban structure will contribute to a more balanced regional development, to reducing regional disparities, to increasing European competitiveness, and to sustainable development.

Description

The objective of the study has been to provide the background for a more informed discussion of polycentric development in Europe. This, on the one hand, has implied providing an overview of the European urban system with regards to functional specialisations and current degrees of polycentricity, as well as a prospective analysis of possible effects of regional polycentric integration in different parts of Europe. On the other hand, existing partnerships at the inter-municipal, inter-regional and transnational scales have been analysed, and the differents applications of polycentricity in national policies have been reviewed.

Background information

The project was launched under the ESPON programme following an integrated approach and having a European territorial dimension. In general these projects cover a wide range of issues stretching from scientific methods and data bases via strategic projects to institutional and instrumental questions. The project is one of a series of thematic studies on the territorial effects of major spatial developments, based on typologies of regions, and the situation of cities on the basis of broad empirical data.

Methodology

Literature reviews as basis for the discussion of the concept of polycentricity
Data analysis of the urban systems and its degree of polycentrism in European countries, as well as production of an index of polycentricity
Two questionnaire surveys to provide an overview of institutional networking and partnership - the first survey concerned inter-municipal cooperation at the level of Functional Urban Areas (FUAs), while the second dealt with examples of inter-regional and trans-national co-operation at the European level
Production of indicators and typologies

Status

completed

EU involvement

The project was launched in the framework of the ESPON programme which is financed by the EU Community Initiative INTERREG IIIB.

Conclusions

Cities should be encouraged to co-operate and join forces to improve their urban ranking in the national urban systems
To enhance economic integration, urban policies should focus on the development of linkages between cities
Governance is a key issue when promoting collective action across administrative borders
The EU can contribute to a more polycentric national urban structure by encouraging national spatial planning and regional policy agencies to elaborate spatial development strategies

Contact info

Nordregio
http://www.nordregio.se
Mr. Erik GLOERSEN, tel. +44 (0)8 463 54 00

Publication date

31/03/2005

Project finished

31/03/2005

Researcher

Nordregio et. al.

Cities

The research covers the whole ESPON space, i. e. EU 25 as well as Switzerland, Norway and the two accession countries Bulgaria and Romania.

Article info
ISBN: 91-89332-37-7

Links

ESPON project 1.1.1 - The role, specific situation and potentials of urban areas as nodes in a polycentric development ESPON Homepage

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Land use

Keywords

Urbanisation