Spatial-functional patterns in the European urban system

Abstract

The paper deals with spatial-functional patterns in the European urban system, with a special focus on metropolitan functions in small and medium-sized towns. Based on the assumption that metropolitan functions can also be found outside of large cities, the location of metropolitan functions in three city size classes (small towns, small medium-sized towns and large medium-sized towns) is examined. This confirms the assumption that there is a positive statistical correlation between town size and the localization of metropolitan functions and that medium-sized towns - in contrast to small towns - have on average more comprehensive metropolitan functions. A location-based differentiation of small and medium-sized towns (within or outside metropolitan areas) shows a clear influence of the location on the distribution of metropolitan functions. Thus, borrowing size effects can be observed for the two metropolitan subfunctions science and transport.