Towards a typology of urban centers and subcenters – evidence from German city regions

Angelika Krehl,Stefan Siedentop

doi:10.1080/02723638.2018.1500245

Angelika Krehl, Stefan Siedentop

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/02723638.2018.1500245

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Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study aims to characterize urban spatial structure with respect to its multidimensionality. Using an encompassing data set of socioeconomic variables, as well as variables pertaining to the built environment, accessibility and land use, we suggest a quantitatively based urban (sub-) center typology. The fine-grained spatial scale of 1 km2 grid cells permits a higher spatial resolution than that used in most previous studies. Our suggested typology is two-layered: a “macro layer” based on cluster analyses sheds light on urban spatial configurations. A corresponding threshold-based “micro layer” identifies distinctive types of centers and subcenters at the local level. The application of this multi-scale and multivariate typology to four German city regions indicates both the core cities’ morphological dominance and the formation of subcenters with distinct profiles of regional economic importance, land use patterns and urban form. However, a substantial degree of spatial dispersion is observed because much activity is located in non-central locations.

Highlights

A fundamental change in the urban spatial structure has occurred in most countries of the Global North since the late 1970s
Cultural and economic variation, institutional differences, varying demographic patterns, or local policies and planning cultures may generate striking differences in urban form and land use patterns (Bourne, 2008, Shearmur & Coffey, 2002a). This overview indicates that an impressive number of studies have discussed the formation, size and identification of urban centers and subcenters, whereas fewer papers have addressed these densifications’ characteristics in a multidimensional manner. This scarcity is our paper’s motivation: we suggest a typology of urban centers and subcenters that is based on the spatial level of grid cells and that (1) meets both quantitative and qualitative criteria and (2) is reflected in theoretical underpinnings regarding regional economics and spatial planning
We chose clustering in attribute space as opposed to clustering in geographical space (e.g., Local Moran’s I) because our objective is to develop a multidimensional typology of urban centers and subcenters instead of a typology that is only based on one variable, which the Local Moran’s I provides

Summary

Introduction

A fundamental change in the urban spatial structure has occurred in most countries of the Global North since the late 1970s. With the advent of “polycentricity” as both a theoretical and an analytical concept, an enormous body of literature has been concerned with the morphological and functional characteristics of employment densifications in central and decentral places (the latter are referred to as “subcenters”) Within these contributions, there is controversy regarding the attributes that qualify a certain spatial densification of employment as a “center” or “subcenter” (e.g., Knapp & Volgmann, 2011, McMillen & Smith, 2003, Meijers, 2007). Instead of a binary dichotomy, spatial restructuring processes could be considered as a continuum between employment subcentering and dispersion (see e.g., Anas et al, 1998, Duranton & Puga, 2015) Following this line of argumentation, any attempt to identify urban centers and subcenters must be subjective and is sensitive to the regional context

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