Modeling and Planning Polycentric Urban Region: The Case of the Czech Republic
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2009 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | The aim of the paper is to approach analytical, as well as normative, aspects of polycentric regional patterns. The essential step is to define the polycentric urban regions within the Czech Republic settlement system, using the analyses of work commuting flows. At this point, two questions arise. First, are the relational polycentric systems, i.e. the systems based on reciprocal commuting flows between the centers, reflected also in the spatial pattern of other types of intraregional relations and ties? Second, is the analytically identified polycentric pattern a precondition for introducing polycentricity as a normative regional planning tool? Deeper investigation carried out in two of delimited polycentric regions brings a clearer view into the nature of PURs (Most, Teplice, Ústí nad Labem in Northern Bohemia is the PUR integrating medium sized cities; Česká Třebová, Ústí nad Orlicí PUR in Eastern Bohemia consists primarily of small centres). Employing the results of questionnaire surveys, considering transport, consumption and social linkages, local political and planning activities as well as internal perception of region we can confront pure analytical model of polycentric urban region with a wider complex of intraregional relations. Hence, the underlying analytical picture of PUR can be critically reshaped and the applicability of polycentric concept at the regional scale critically tested. |
| Related projects: |