Modelling the multi-scalar effect of commuting on exposure to diversity

Abstract

Urban systems are primarily relational. The uneven intensities and distribution of flows between systems of cities results in hierarchically organised complex networks of urban exchange. Distinct urban spatial structures reflect the diversity of functional and social patterns which vary or remain constant across multiple scales. In this work, we examine the impact of commuting on the potential accessibility to spatial and social diversity, and the scalar relations that may exist. We first define relational scales by conducting a process of percolation on the commuting network, as a hierarchical clustering algorithm. This gives rise to a nested structure of urban clusters based on flow connectivity. For each cluster at each scale, we compute measures of commuting structural and social diversity by examining the spatial distribution of origin-destination pairs, and the distribution of workers' skills and occupations. To do this, we make use of global entropy measures allowing us to quantitatively analyse the reachable diversity across scales. Applying this methodology to Chile, we observe that the hierarchical accessibility to the wider system of cities and the patterns of spatial interaction, significantly influence the degree of exposure to diversity within urban systems. This framework examines connectivity-based diversity at multiple scales, and allows for the classification of cities and systems of cities according to the spatial and social dimensions of commuting dispersion. Such insights could contribute to the planning of infrastructural projects connecting the urban system at different scales, while also guiding a strategic relocation and redistribution of economic activities at regional levels.