The diversity of demographic potential and socioeconomic development of urban functional areas

The diversity of demographic potential and socioeconomic development of urban functional areas – Evidence from Poland

Kudełko, Joanna / Musiał-Malago, Monika

Abstract A significant role in regional development is played by large urban centres whose development processes affect neighbouring functional areas. So far, research publications have focused on the ways of delimiting the functional areas of cities as well as on the issue of financing urban functional areas, including EU cohesion policy instruments. It seems, however, that only few research studies give attention to the development of functional areas, especially in the context of their internal differences and when perceived as relatively uniform areas. The authors believe that there is a knowledge gap in this area. For this reason, the objective of this research study is to assess gaps between the municipalities which constitute urban functional areas from the perspective of their demographic potential and socioeconomic development. The research covers the functional areas of Poland's largest regional centres, i.e. the capital cities of NUTS2 regions. The paper focuses on the internal gaps between urban functional areas and the identification of their reasons. The conducted research indicates that the development of the demographic potential of municipalities belonging to functional areas is affected by a positive migration balance rather than positive birth rates. It also points to a correlation between the development of regional centres and the development of the external zones of their functional areas. Also, the research shows higher development levels in urban municipalities as compared with rural areas. The development of the municipalities of external zones is also affected by their location in relation to core cities. The findings of this study may contribute to efforts aimed to develop a theoretical framework for explaining the causes of differences in development processes at a regional level, particularly in large urban areas and their surroundings. They may also provide insight into factors determining internal differences in urban functional areas. Moreover, the undertaken study points to the necessity of research into the socioeconomic development of territories at a lower level than regions or countries.

Highlights • Development effects in the municipalities of the external zones of the functional areas of regional centres are different • Development levels in the municipalities of functional areas are positively correlated with the development of core cities • The highest development levels are recorded in urban municipalities and the lowest levels in rural areas