Archive:Regional typologies overview

Authors: Lewis Dijkstra and Hugo Poelman, European Commission, DG Regio

This paper provides an overview of six regional typologies used in the 5th Cohesion Report1. The goal of each of these regional typologies is to provide an analytical and descriptive lens on these types of territories through the use of NUTS 3 data.

Not all these territories, however, can be easily identified at the NUTS 3 level, depending on the type of territory and the size and shape of the NUTS 3 region. As a result, classifications on a lower geographical level remain necessary and may capture these territories better. However, annual data availability below NUTS 3 for all of Europe is extremely limited and does not allow for regular monitoring. These typologies are not intended for direct policy use.

For each typology a short overview of the evolution of the definition, the methodology and a map are provided. Where possible, EFTA and candidate countries have been included in this paper to facilitate a wider use of these typologies. These typologies will be updated after each round of NUTS modifications.

Map 1: Urban-rural typology of NUTS3 regions including remoteness

Urban-rural typology including remoteness

Evolution

This is a new classification that combines elements from the OECD classification with the new urban-rural typology developed by the Commission2.

The OECD classification was developed in the early 1990s with a three-way classification (predominantly urban; intermediate; predominantly rural) based on the population density of districts (Local Administrative Unit Level 2 or LAU2). In 2009, the OECD3 extended its classification to include the remoteness dimension. It followed the approach developed by Dijkstra and Poelman4 who tested such an approach for the EU and found significant socio-economic differences between rural regions close to a city and remote rural regions.

The new urban-rural typology developed by the Commission takes the OECD approach based on districts and TL3 regions and applies it to population grid cells and to NUTS 3 regions. The OECD’s TL3 regions differ from NUTS 3 regions in Belgium, the Netherlands and Greece, where they are NUTS 2 regions, and in Germany, where they are spatial planning regions. The new urban-rural typology developed by the Commission does not include the remoteness dimension.

Further Eurostat information

Publications

• Regional typologies: a compilation

Dedicated section

• Regions and cities, see:

City statistics - Urban Audit

External links

• European Commission - Joint Research Centre
• European Environment Agency - Population density disaggregated with Corine land cover 2000
• European Forum for GeoStatistics
• OECD REGIONAL TYPOLOGY (pdf file, 1.93 Mb)

See also

• European cities
• European cities - demographic challenges
• European cities - spatial dimension (Background article)
• Urban rankings
• Urban-rural typology (Background article)