From urban clusters to megaregions: mapping Australia’s evolving urban regions

Abstract This study employs percolation theory to investigate the hierarchical organisation of Australian urban centres through the connectivity of their road networks. The analysis demonstrates how discrete urban clusters have developed into integrated regional entities, delineating the pivotal dis...

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Main Authors: Matthew Kok Ming Ng, Zahratu Shabrina, Somwrita Sarkar, Hoon Han, Christopher Pettit
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2024-10-01
Series:Computational Urban Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43762-024-00140-2
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author Matthew Kok Ming Ng
Zahratu Shabrina
Somwrita Sarkar
Hoon Han
Christopher Pettit
author_facet Matthew Kok Ming Ng
Zahratu Shabrina
Somwrita Sarkar
Hoon Han
Christopher Pettit
author_sort Matthew Kok Ming Ng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study employs percolation theory to investigate the hierarchical organisation of Australian urban centres through the connectivity of their road networks. The analysis demonstrates how discrete urban clusters have developed into integrated regional entities, delineating the pivotal distance thresholds that regulate these urban transitions. The study reveals the interconnections between disparate urban clusters, shaped by their functional differentiation and historical development. Furthermore, the study identifies a dichotomy of urban agglomeration forces and a persistent spatial disconnection between Australia’s wider urban landscape. This highlights the interplay between urban densification and peripheral growth. It suggests the need for new thinking on potential integrated governance structures that bridge urban development with broader social and economic policies across regional and national scales. Additionally, the study emphasises the growing importance of national coordination in Australian urban development planning to ensure regional consistency, equity, and productivity.
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series Computational Urban Science
spelling doaj-art-59697f35d49f4b6ca157dc796869e0b72025-08-20T02:11:24ZengSpringerComputational Urban Science2730-68522024-10-014111310.1007/s43762-024-00140-2From urban clusters to megaregions: mapping Australia’s evolving urban regionsMatthew Kok Ming Ng0Zahratu Shabrina1Somwrita Sarkar2Hoon Han3Christopher Pettit4City Futures Research Centre, UNSWKing’s College LondonUniversity of SydneyCity Futures Research Centre, UNSWCity Futures Research Centre, UNSWAbstract This study employs percolation theory to investigate the hierarchical organisation of Australian urban centres through the connectivity of their road networks. The analysis demonstrates how discrete urban clusters have developed into integrated regional entities, delineating the pivotal distance thresholds that regulate these urban transitions. The study reveals the interconnections between disparate urban clusters, shaped by their functional differentiation and historical development. Furthermore, the study identifies a dichotomy of urban agglomeration forces and a persistent spatial disconnection between Australia’s wider urban landscape. This highlights the interplay between urban densification and peripheral growth. It suggests the need for new thinking on potential integrated governance structures that bridge urban development with broader social and economic policies across regional and national scales. Additionally, the study emphasises the growing importance of national coordination in Australian urban development planning to ensure regional consistency, equity, and productivity.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43762-024-00140-2Urban clusteringPercolation TheoryUrban AnalyticsUrbanisationSpatial OrganisationInfrastructure networks
spellingShingle Matthew Kok Ming Ng
Zahratu Shabrina
Somwrita Sarkar
Hoon Han
Christopher Pettit
From urban clusters to megaregions: mapping Australia’s evolving urban regions
Computational Urban Science
Urban clustering
Percolation Theory
Urban Analytics
Urbanisation
Spatial Organisation
Infrastructure networks
title From urban clusters to megaregions: mapping Australia’s evolving urban regions
title_full From urban clusters to megaregions: mapping Australia’s evolving urban regions
title_fullStr From urban clusters to megaregions: mapping Australia’s evolving urban regions
title_full_unstemmed From urban clusters to megaregions: mapping Australia’s evolving urban regions
title_short From urban clusters to megaregions: mapping Australia’s evolving urban regions
title_sort from urban clusters to megaregions mapping australia s evolving urban regions
topic Urban clustering
Percolation Theory
Urban Analytics
Urbanisation
Spatial Organisation
Infrastructure networks
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43762-024-00140-2
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