Prime Urban Phenomenon and Pattern of Urban System in Iran

Subject Areas : Urban Management Studies

شهرام امیرانتخابی ¹ (ندارد)
آذر کریمی حصاری ² (نویسنده و مسئول مکاتبات)

Received: 2014-10-31 Accepted : 2014-10-31 Published : 2009-06-22

Keywords: Prime urban phenomenon, the rank - size pattern, Spatial organization, urban network,

Abstract :

Cities are known as the main centers of population gathering and activity of commercial, industrial, cultural, administrative and political sectors. As a result, the hierarchical network of urban centers comprises the main skeleton and framework of spatial organization of country. In order to identify the size of the cities within the context of this network, some researchers such as Averbakh have suggested specific spatial models (Rating - Size Model) that express population size of the cities comparing with the largest cities. But the unbalanced and uncontrollable growth of the large cities and their superiority over other cities, whether at the national level or within the province, have created a phenomenon and the intensification and continuation of this process, gradually leads to the increasing polarization of space and injustice in the country, which results the lack of social and economic development in small and medium cities and areas around them. In a recent century Tehran has been the capital of dominion in the city network. In the next stage, most provincial capitals have established the same relationship with the other cities.  Only some provincial capitals, due to being newly established, their specific spatial location, geographical and historical circumstances have not reached the first urban phenomenon yet, but their current trends and common citizenship patterns can also continue to irrecoverable critical stage.