The Effects of Polycentric Development on Commuting Patterns in Metropolitan Areas

The study of how employment decentralization in polycentric metropolitan areas affects patterns of commuting has created many intense debates in the research areas of geography and urban planning based on empirical studies in developed countries of North America, Europe, Oceania as well as developing countries of Asia during last two decades (Gordon & Wong 1985; Cervero & Landis 1991; Giuliano & Small 1993; Naess & Sandberg 1996; Gordon & Richardson 1997; Aguilera 2005; Parolin 2005; Alpkokin et al. 2008; Guth, Holz-Rau & Maciolek 2009; Veneri 2010; Zhao, Lu & Roo 2011). A major reason for the intensity of these debates is the question of whether the evolution of a polycentric spatial structure in mega cities can provide more opportunities to enhance spatial matches between job and housing location selections of employees who live in suburban areas. Accordingly, employment decentralization and polycentric development would improve commuting patterns by shortening individual commuting distances and time. This paper will review empirical studies in relation to this crucially important research topic. An understanding of how urban spatial structure influences commuting patterns can improve the management and strategic planning of cities to ensure that urban spatial structure optimises the aggregate travel behaviour of urban commuters.