Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
It is necessary to consider external interactions of cities, their importance and the role of each type of communication to analyze urban systems. Thus, an accurate understanding of the nature of space and the forces shaping it as well as identification of the form of space organization in the regional level requires identification of several types of interactions among cities. Besides, the importance of nodes at the regional level, such as an urban network, presents forms of space organization in correspondence with the levels of the urban hierarchy.
On the one hand, cities are categorized in proportion to their connectivity and power based on different flows of people, goods, capital and information. On the other hand, practical projects focus mostly on ranking settlements based on population, capacity and level of services.
The authors believe there are two main reasons why researchers have paid less attention to the urban network analysis in Iran. First, lack of inter-city and intra-city flow data and, second, absence of a comprehensive model to consider different types of linkages among cities.
This article aims to present an optimum pattern of urban network analysis according to available data in Iran including economic, political and physical data, as well as the data related to services including tourism and recreation, transportation, health, education, etc.
This paper examined the hierarchy of functional communications among cities in Fars province located in south of Iran. It aims to answer the following questions:
1. How is the hierarchical pattern of functional communications in Fars province?
2. Which centers and what types of communications are more important to achieve a balanced regional development model?
In terms of methodology, this study is a positivist research. The research method is applied and developmental and the quantitative methods are used to assess the hierarchy of urban communications in Fars province. The data is collected through documentary and library studies.
Assessment of the urban communication pattern of Fars province shows a partially mono-central clustered structure in the province. Shiraz is the dominant central place of the examined network. This is due to the concentration of population, economic, social and cultural potentials and powerful physical relationships with other cities. Marvdasht, Firoozabad, Fasa, Jahrom and Lar are the most powerful and multi-functional cities to modify the spatial structure of the province. These cities were ranked as secondary centers in the system of the city to play their roles. It should be noted that Marvdasht is the second most populated city in Fras province. In the light of its vacinity to Shiraz, Marvdasht has less superior services. Thus, Marvdasht is described as a low potential city to become a secondary center. Jahrom and Lar are located in the southern half of the province. These cities are considered to be at the second level of the hierarchy of cities in Fars. On the other hand, results show that lack of important functional centers is the most important problem in Fars spatial organization, especially in western and eastern areas of the province. Finally, in an overall view, the results show that distribution of services plays an important role in the hierarchy of urban system and that the demographic dependence is mainly affected by communication and service structures.
Keywords
- urban systems
- urban network analysis
- cities’ functional communications
- balanced regional development
Main Subjects
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