Peripherality^squared: mapping the fractal spatiality of peripheralization in the Danube region of Romania

Popescu, C., Soaita, A. M. and Persu, M. R. (2021) Peripherality^squared: mapping the fractal spatiality of peripheralization in the Danube region of Romania. Habitat International, 107, 102306. (doi: 10.1016/j.habitatint.2020.102306)

Abstract

Starting from the assumption that the core/periphery relations are fractal assemblages of scale of varying intensity, this paper explores and maps at a finely-grained scale the alignment between the socioeconomic and relational attributes of place in a context of peripheralitysquared whereby further peripheralization occurs within a ‘periphery’. To illustrate this context we focus on the Danube region of Romania. Building on two relatively disparate dimensions of peripherality and mobilizing a range of micro-scale data, we construct the socioeconomic and relational indexes, separately and combined, in order to identify the fractal spatiality of the region through micro-scale maps. Examining the spatial (mis)match between varying levels of development and connectivity helps identify territorial assets whose development may enable a more even spatiality that reduces spatial exclusion. Our paper invites scholars to question binary core/periphery or dominant/dominated understandings of peripherality. The fact that our indexes were only slightly correlated raises questions on how peripherality should be interpreted and operationalized; further research on the relationship between its socioeconomic and relational dimensions in other regions of the world would be welcomed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Soaita, Dr Adriana Mihaela
• Authors: Popescu, C., Soaita, A. M., and Persu, M. R.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: Habitat International
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0197-3975
• ISSN (Online): 1873-5428
• Published Online: 13 December 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Habitat International 107: 102306
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
300119		UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE)	Kenneth Gibb	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/P008852/1	S&PS - Urban Studies