Polycentric Phoenix

Abstract

Sun Belt cities have a reputation for sprawling disarray. Although Phoenix is often depicted as the ultimate large fast‐growing, low‐density Sun Belt metropolis, we found considerable order in the location of business establishments. We tested spatial pattern to show that establishments in a variety of sectors are significantly clustered and found that while clustering declines outside the central business district (CBD) and subcenters, all sectors remain significantly clustered in the suburbs. A new method that we developed to assess spatial relationships of establishments across sectors revealed that spatial intersectoral associations are evident between some intermediate‐sector establishments and within final demand. These intersectoral associations mostly carry over to portions of the urbanized area beyond the CBD and subcenters. A cartographic analysis details sectoral locational patterns across the metropolitan area and the relationships between the function of subcenters and the transportation network. We compare the economic structure of the CBD and five subcenters. Phoenix has a distinctively specialized CBD. Some subcenters are functionally diversified, while others are specialized. The rank‐size rule is a good approximation of the size order of centers. We conclude that continued forces of accessibility, externality, and regulation shape the spatial structure of Phoenix.

The Spatial Distribution of Urban Consumer Service Firms: Evidence from Yelp Reviews

“…Shopping centers are especially relevant for Phoenix. Leslie andÓ hUallacháin (2006) find considerable co-localization between retail and entertainment establishments, which is unsurprising given the shopping centers and strip malls dotting the sprawling landscape. [ Table 2 about here.…”

A short history of the Chinese Central Business District

“…19 Although debate over the use of the CBD term remains vigorous in the international literature, the CBD, variously defined, is an important and relatively stable economic function in the city. 20 In Chinese usage in urban planning documents, 21 the CBD term also connotes highest order economic activity but is rich with representational values. 22 The clustering of distinctly modernist building forms is closely associated with the modernity project.…”

The Impact of Geography and Labor upon the Size of Job Agglomerations in Memphis, Tennessee

“…The latter generally require substantial capital in the form of office space per unit of land [30]. Leslie and Ó hUallacháin [33] explored industrial specialization of another southern U.S. city and found agglomerative tendencies of manufacturing, wholesaling, warehousing, and transportation services in Phoenix.…”