From Theory to Practice: Mapping Polycentricity in Urban and Regional Studies

Abstract

Polycentricity has transformed from a normative European planning paradigm into a globally significant research framework shaping urban and regional development debates. To uncover its intellectual structure and evolutionary trajectory, the present research examines the field from two complementary perspectives: (1) the conceptual development of polycentricity and its associated thematic clusters, and (2) the composition of the scientific community alongside the dynamics of its collaboration networks. From more than 800 identified studies, 470 were selected for in-depth bibliometric analysis, revealing four principal intellectual streams: (1) theoretical and structural foundations, (2) functional and environmental implications, (3) network-oriented approaches, and (4) interdisciplinary linkages. The analysis further explores patterns of scholarly collaboration and the spatial distribution of knowledge production. Findings demonstrate that while polycentricity has matured into a global, empirically grounded field, persistent challenges remain, including geographical disparities and increasing sub-field fragmentation. By presenting a holistic analytical framework, this research provides valuable guidance for future scholarship and fosters more integrated approaches to sustainable urban and regional development.