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Metropolitan Regions pp 309–335Cite as

Interlocking Firm Networks and Emerging Mega-City Regions in the Knowledge Economy

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Part of the book series: Advances in Spatial Science ((ADVSPATIAL))

Abstract

The main objective of this contribution lies in the exploration of a new metropolitan form in the context of the knowledge economy: polycentric Mega-City Regions. In the first part, we focus on the theoretical building blocks of Mega-City Regions by considering these polycentric urban structures as an emerging spatial phenomenon based on re-scaling processes of agglomeration economies as well as network economies. By using the two inter-related concepts, we secondly analyse large-scale interlocking networks and functional urban hierarchies in nine Mega-City Regions in North West Europe: Munich, Northern Switzerland, the Dutch Randstad Region, South East England, Rhine-Ruhr, Rhine-Main, the Paris Region, Central Belgium and Greater Dublin. The main conclusion of the paper is that polycentric Mega-City Regions are becoming a more general phenomenon in advanced economies. The inter-urban functional linkages are found to be extending and intensifying while, at the same time, global functions are clustering and centralising. These apparently contradictory processes are intersecting on the Mega-City Region scale, which emerges as a new strategic location for activities of the knowledge economy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Territorial and Spatial Development, Munich University of Technology, Arcisstrasse 21, Munich, 80333, Germany

    Alain Thierstein & Stefan Lüthi (Chair)

Authors
  1. Alain Thierstein
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  2. Stefan Lüthi
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Correspondence to Alain Thierstein or Stefan Lüthi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Economics, Finance & Statistics, Jönköping Int. Business School, Jönköping University, Gjuterigatan 5, Jönköping, 551 11, Sweden

    Johan Klaesson

  2. Economics, Finance and Statistics, Jönköping Int. Business School, University Jonköping, Gjuterigatan 5, Jönköping, 551 11, Sweden

    Börje Johansson

  3. Economics, Finance and Statistics, Jönköping Int. Business School, Jönköping University, Gjuterigatan 5, Jönköping, 551 11, Sweden

    Charlie Karlsson

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Thierstein, A., Lüthi, S. (2013). Interlocking Firm Networks and Emerging Mega-City Regions in the Knowledge Economy. In: Klaesson, J., Johansson, B., Karlsson, C. (eds) Metropolitan Regions. Advances in Spatial Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32141-2_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32141-2_14

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-32141-2

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