Geographia Polonica (2008) vol. 81, iss. 2
Typologies of European urban - rural regions: a review and assessment
Geographia Polonica (2008) vol. 81, iss. 2, pp. 25-42 | 
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Abstract
The existing typologies of rural-urban regions can be divided into three categories, based ondifferent criteria that refer to alternative concepts of the region and of urban–rural relations. The fi rstcategory is represented by studies in which the hierarchical structure of rural–urban regions is exposed,as determined by the functional profi le as well as the range of functions performed, the populationpotential, and the political and administrative status of the main urban centre. The second categorycomprises typologies based on criteria related to level of urbanization, i.e. the extent to which a givenarea has an urban vs. rural character. These typologies also tend to include criteria related to spatial forms– the morphology of settlement, as well as the density and redistribution of population. Typologicalstudies in the third category focus on the interdependence of, and interaction between the urban, periurban,and rural zones of rural–urban regions. Studies of the latter kind are rather rare, owing to theirexacting requirements as regards data, in particular with respect to fl ow data.
Keywords: urban-rural regions, regional typologies, functional urban regions, peri-urban areas.
[korcelli@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakowskie Przedmieście 30, 00-927 Warszawa, Poland
[eko@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland