The theory of polynuclear urban regions and its application to central Scotland

Abstract

The idea of strategic planning for networks of cities and towns, encapsulated in the polynuclear urban region concept, has attracted growing interest in many European regions. Key themes include cooperation between neighbouring cities and coordination between functional policies. This article explores the theoretical benefits, including increased economies of scale and improvements in the strength and quality of internal interactions. It also applies these arguments to Central Scotland. As the largest concentration of economic activity in Scotland, with a high level of organizational fragmentation but growing cross boundary issues and coincident growth pressures and deficiencies, there are potential gains from a common strategic perspective. These include improved communications for inter‐firm collaboration and trade, more efficient labour and housing market interactions, and an institutional framework for planning and marketing important regional assets. Closer cooperation within a regional perspective could help the Central Belt to function better as an economic unit and facilitate its ongoing development.

Notes

Ivan Turok and Nick Bailey, Department of Urban Studies, University of Glasgow, E‐mail: [email protected] and [email protected]

We leave the precise boundary definition of Central Scotland open at present since the analysis is more about principles than details. To avoid confusion, however, the core area is interpreted as the city‐regions of Greater Glasgow and Greater Edinburgh, i.e. the cities and their hinterlands. We also discuss the positions of Stirling, Falkirk and Dundee at several points.

A Central Scotland Rail Capacity Study was recently initiated by the Scottish Executive and Strategic Rail Authority. It may begin to remedy the missing regional perspective, although it is not really couched within a wider land use and economic framework. It is too soon to comment on the outcome.

A proposal was announced in March 2002 for a major new business district in the Gogar‐Newbridge area west of Edinburgh linked to the building of a new world headquarters for the Royal Bank of Scotland. It also involves additional office, commercial and residential development, a new tramway link into Edinburgh and possible rail link to the expanded airport (Scottish Executive, 2002). Without an effective regional planning framework in place there is a danger that this substantial project could increase local congestion and labour shortages, undermine the prospects for existing development proposals elsewhere in and around Edinburgh, such as the south‐east wedge and north Edinburgh Waterfront, and not deliver its potential for generating opportunities for the wider region.

This is not simply about business relocation from east to west and increased commuting from west to east, since it also about new projects, in situ business expansion and incoming investment to the Central Belt. There may also be opportunities for suppliers of equipment and services in the west to gain access to expanding markets in the east, including printing and publishing, legal and professional services, accountancy and advertising, catering and cleaning.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ivan Turok

Ivan Turok and Nick Bailey, Department of Urban Studies, University of Glasgow, E‐mail: [email protected] and [email protected]