The interurban transmission of growth in advanced economies: Empirical findings versus regional-planning assumptions

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Abstract
Pred A. R. (1976) The interurban transmission of growth in advanced economies: Empirical findings versus regional-planning assumptions, Reg. Studies 10, 151–171. It is proposed that the disappointing record of growth-centre and growth-pole policies in advanced economies is in some measure attributable to mistaken assumptions concerning interurban growth-transmission. The reasoning behind the hinterland-spread and hierarchical diffusion assumptions of interurban growth-transmission is outlined and briefly criticized. The relationships between the spatial structure of organisations and interurban growth-transmission are sketched and organisational spatial structure data for seven metropolitan complexes of the western United States are presented. This data, and the summarized findings of other recent research projects, consistently point to the inaccuracy of the growth-transmission assumptions held by many regional planners and academics in advanced economies. Consequently, certain realities that need to be considered in regional development policy formulation are enumerated.