Log in

Access to multiple urban centres is now the norm for billions

  • Research Briefing
  • Published:

From Nature Cities

View current issue Submit your manuscript

We uncovered the degree of interconnectedness of urban centres globally, finding that 3.2 billion individuals can access multiple urban tiers ranging from towns to large cities within an hour of travel. These findings emphasize the strategic importance of intermediate cities in linking various urban and rural areas, which is crucial for effective regional development.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1: Global population distribution across different types of city–regions in 2020.

References

  1. Parr, J. Perspectives on the city–region. Reg. Stud. 39, 555–566 (2005). This paper provides the key conceptual framework underpinning our delineation of city–regions.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Mulligan, G. F., Partridge, M. D. & Carruthers, J. I. Central place theory and its reemergence in regional science. Ann. Reg. Sci. 48, 405–431 (2012). This paper presents an interdisciplinary perspective on central place theory and its current relevance in regional science.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Dijkstra, L. et al. Applying the degree of urbanisation to the globe: a new harmonised definition reveals a different picture of global urbanisation. J. Urban Econ. 125, 103312 (2021). This article moves beyond the rural–urban dichotomy by introducing peri-urban areas and other sub-categories.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Cattaneo, A., Nelson, A. & McMenomy, T. Global map** of urban–rural catchment areas reveals unequal access to services. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. 118, e2011990118 (2021). This paper provides a spatial representation of the connection between rural areas and urban centres, representing the first step towards delineating city–regions.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Cattaneo, A. et al. Economic and social development along the urban–rural continuum: New opportunities to inform policy. World Dev. 157, 105941 (2022). A review article presenting potential applications based on newly available global datasets that move beyond the rural–urban dichotomy.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This is a summary of: Cattaneo, A. et al. Worldwide delineation of multi-tier city–regions. Nat. Cities https://doi.org/10.1038/s44284-024-00083-z (2024).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Access to multiple urban centres is now the norm for billions. Nat Cities 1, 449–450 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44284-024-00087-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44284-024-00087-9

  • Springer Nature America, Inc.

Navigation