Beyond the Suburban-Urban Divide: Convergence in Age Structures in Metropolitan Rome, Italy

Abstract

A comprehensive analysis of local demographic structures by age allows a better understanding of complex processes of population redistribution across large metropolitan regions. Based on these premises, local population age structures were studied at the spatial scale of urban districts in Rome's metropolitan area (Italy) between 1971 and 2018. Results of this study indicate (i) a rapid suburbanization (1971-1991) consolidating distinct demographic structures in urban and rural areas, (ii) a less rapid disurbanization (1991-2011) with aging of suburban populations and (iii) a subsequent process of slow re-urbanization (2011-2018). Taken together, these phenomena have reduced the structural divide in urban (older) populations and suburban (younger) populations. Residential mobility contributed to a more balanced age structure during suburbanization and an increased urban-rural gap in the subsequent phases (disurbanization and re-urbanization). A refined analysis of long-term population dynamics in metropolitan regions reflects spatial outcomes and latent aspects of demographic transitions, shedding light on the debate over the future development of urban and rural societies in advanced economies.

Investigating metropolitan change through mathematical morphology and a dynamic factor analysis of structural and functional land-use indicators

“…A further-albeit slower-reduction in the mean size of 'core' patches (for both urban and non-urban land-use classes) characterised the counter-urbanisation stage (1999-2016). Altogether, these trends reflected the continuous fragmentation of peri-urban mosaics 4,36,77 , and a persistent increase in the fractal dimension of Rome's landscape, as documented in Salvati 23 .…”

“…Three-time intervals were identified to investigate the impact of sequential developmental stages on urban form and socioeconomic functions 36 . Following the CLC theory 20 , empirical evidence from earlier studies 17 , 63 , 70 , 76 allowed the identification of three stages that reflect differentiated demographic and settlement dynamics in Rome 77 . With ‘urbanisation’ (1949–1974), a massive population increase was recorded together with intense (compact) building development 13 .…”

“…considering the metropolitan cycle between 1949 and 2016. Fast and slow attributes were defined as having an above-median or below-median rapidity of change calculated for each dimension (structure and functions) separately 77 . These metrics ultimately aimed at estimating the contribution of these two dimensions to the overall system’s evolution 3 , 44 , 100 .…”

Moving towards repolarisation? The population trajectories of medium-sized towns in Lower Lombardy, Italy (2010‒2020)

“…With reurbanisation, driven by young individuals (Buzar et al 2007;Haase et al 2010;Gans 2017;Moos et al 2019;Rérat 2019), the picture has changed, but it is unclear how this impacts on the divides between cores and belts. According to some authors, the impact is ambiguous (Kurek et al 2017), while others believe that a new phase has begun, characterised by rejuvenation of cores and ageing of suburban areas, narrowing the previous gaps (Siedentop et al 2018;Egidi & Salvati 2020). However, the suburbs are still very appealing for the young population (Gurrutxaga 2021).…”