Polycentrism as a Multi-Scalar Relationship Between Urban and Rural Areas: The Case of Portugal

Abstract

This article introduces a reflective analysis of polycentrism. Since the 1990s, polycentrism has provided the foundation for countless spatial planning policies in Europe. Most studies highlight the importance of cities and towns as the principal nodes for regional development. This article discusses whether polycentrism is the best planning solution for managing the imbalances and relationships between urban and rural areas. Empirically, it will focus on the polycentric discourse that has recently gained strength in Portugal, by evaluating the national spatial planning policy programme and its consequences for regional development. It will make a comparative analysis between the national spatial development perspective proposed by the programme and certain sociological findings that characterized the rural areas caught out between urbanization and marginalization. This will be illustrated with research on the Alentejo region, one of the largest rural areas in Portugal.

Notes

See the annex to Law 58/2007 of 4 September, later published in book form (MAOTDR, 2007). According to Decree-Law 380/99 on the PNPOT, it “establishes the options and guidelines on the conformity of the urban system, networks, infrastructures and facilities of national interest and the safeguarding and enhancement of areas of national interest in terms of heritage and rural development” (Article 28 (1) (a)).

For contributions and opinions relating to the public debate, see Guerra (2006) and http://www.territorioportugal.pt/Discussao.aspx

Portugal's local government is divided into three levels: district (largest), municipality (intermediate) and parish (smallest).

In the French version of SPADN, the statistical variance is designated “valeur-test” and the significance “probabilité”.

We used the limits defined in the 1991 Census to demarcate the Alentejo region.

The average for the parishes making up the cluster.