A new 21st century urban phenomenon is emerging: the networked polycentric mega-city region. Developed around one or more cities of global status, it is characterized by a cluster of cities and towns, physically separate but intensively networked in a complex spatial division of labour. This book describes and analyses eight such regions in North West Europe.For the first time, this work shows how businesses interrelate and communicate in geographical space - within each region, between them, and with the wider world. It goes on to demonstrate the profound consequences for spatial planning and regional development in Europe - and, by implication, other similar urban regions of the world.The Polycentric Metropolis introduces the concept of a mega-city region, analyses its characteristics, examines the issues surrounding regional identities, and discusses policy ramifications and outcomes for infrastructure, transport systems and regulation.Packed with high quality maps, case study data and written in a clear style by highly experienced authors, this will be an insightful and significant analysis suitable for professionals in urban planning and policy, environmental consultancies, business and investment communities, technical libraries, and students in urban studies, geography, economics and town/spatial planning.

Part I The Polycentric Metropolis: Emerging Mega-City Regions * From Metropolis to Polyopolis * Part II Analysing the Polycentric Metropolis: Quantifying the Mega-City Region * Anatomy of the Polycentric Metropolis: Eight Mega-City Regions in Overview * Organization of the Polycentric Metropolis: Corporate Structures and Networks * The Connectivity of the European Heartland * The Informational Geography of Europolis: Mapping the Flow of Information * Part III Understanding the Polycentric Metropolis: Actors, Networks, Regions * Firms and Places: Inside the Mega-City Regions * Flows and Relationships: Internal and External Linkages * People and Places: Interrelating the 'Space of Flows' and the 'Space of Places' * Part IV Visiting the Polycentric Metropolis: Regional Identities, Regional Policies * South East England: Global Constellation * Randstad Holland: Multiple Faces of a Polycentric Role Model * Central Belgium: Polycentrism in a Federal Context * RhineRuhr: 'Polycentricity at its Best'? * Rhine-Main: Making Polycentricity Work? * European Metropolitan Region Northern Switzerland: Driving Agents for Spatial Development and Governance Responses * The Paris Region: Polycentric Spatial Planning in a Monocentric Metropolitan Region * Greater Dublin in the Celtic Tiger Economy: Towards a Polycentric Mega-City Region? * Part V Planning Europolis: The Effectiveness of Policy * From Strategy to Delivery: Policy Responses *