Employment deconcentration and spatial dispersion in metropolitan areas: Consequences for commuting patterns

There is interest in understanding which characteristics of metropolitan areas impact the length time or distance residents spend commuting. We utilize two measures recently introduced to urban literature capturing distinct dimensions employment decentralization –the level deconcentration and spatial dispersion – assess how they are related commuting patterns across areas. These urban/metropolitan structure avoid challenges identifying “job centers” allow for a more systematic investigation affects patterns. Furthermore, we detect key differences implications these 329 US regions based on their population size. find that greater very small MSAs associated with longer commute times distances, whereas large shorter commutes. And not MSAs, commutes MSAs. This study also shows pattern regions, captured by new measures, proportion short long duration • Measure Use dispersion. Avoid challenge defining subcenters. Decentralization distance. differs size MSA.