Is the counterurbanization process a chaotic concept in academic literature?

Abstract

Counterurbanization has been considered as a chaotic concept in the academic literature. It entails demographic movement and deconcentration in some urban areas and appears to be a new process of popu­lation's spatial distribution and the definition of a new settlement pattern which may exceed the Central Place Theory. The results of this process and demographic movement have led to societal diversification and even to the emergence of new classes in the countryside and new urban-rural relationships. We can ask ourselves if there are similarities to the Theory of Even Polycentric Development and if counterurbanization is really an opportunity for peripheral and rural areas. Academic literature about the development of the new economy tied to the III Technological Revolution demonstrates that the obstacle within economic development of spatial dimension and geographical distance is abating. In such circumstances it is not surprising that both problems and opportunities arise when it comes to making territory planning policies. This paper focuses on analyzing the international scientific literature on counterurbanization -particularly that of Anglosaxon and Latin-America countries- with an aim to contribute to the search of meaning in the arguments which support the definition of counterurbanization and to foster its research. .