Functional specialisation and socio-economic factors in population change: A clustering study in non-metropolitan Australia

Abstract

Although research has examined population growth and decline using functional specialisation, little attention has been paid to the possible combined effects of functional specialisation and socio-economic factors on population change. Using the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census Data 2001–2006 for statistical local areas, this study presents an investigation of the role of both functional specialisation and socio-economic factors in population change in non-metropolitan areas under the sustenance framework. The uniqueness of the study is twofold. Conceptually it develops a framework to compare the combined role of functional specialisation and socio-economic factors on population change; and, empirically it uses data mining (cluster analysis) techniques to investigate the extent of this combined role. The results show the significance of both functional specialisation and socio-economic factors. Policy implications of the study indicate the need to examine regional development and population change in relation to functional specialisation and socio-economic factors and their impact on viability of non-metropolitan areas.

Zoning a productive city? A typology of clustering, diversity and specialisation in Melbourne’s urban industrial areas

“…Drawing on this data, we employed k -means cluster analysis to develop the industrial zone typology. k -Means clustering is an established method in urban studies for identifying and studying neighbourhood and demographic typologies (Delmelle, 2016; Mardaneh, 2016; Vicino, 2008). 3 We apply this method to industrial zones based on their industry of employment composition.…”

Zoning a productive city? A typology of clustering, diversity and specialisation in Melbourne’s urban industrial areas

“…Drawing on this data, we employed k -means cluster analysis to develop the industrial zone typology. k -Means clustering is an established method in urban studies for identifying and studying neighbourhood and demographic typologies (Delmelle, 2016; Mardaneh, 2016; Vicino, 2008). 3 We apply this method to industrial zones based on their industry of employment composition.…”

Place-based drivers and effective management of population growth and change in regional Australia

“…The significance of economic specialisation in non-metropolitan growth in Australia has been shown in several studies that demonstrate that greater specialisation increases growth rates (Beer and Clower 2009;Mardaneh 2016;Plummer and Taylor 2001). Duranton and Puga's (2000) method was used to calculate a specialisation index for each SUA, using employment for each industry at the 3-digit (ANZSIC classification) level from ABS population censuses in 2011 or 2016.…”

Zoning a productive city? A typology of clustering, diversity and specialisation in Melbourne’s urban industrial areas

“…Drawing on this data, we employed k -means cluster analysis to develop the industrial zone typology. k -Means clustering is an established method in urban studies for identifying and studying neighbourhood and demographic typologies (Delmelle, 2016; Mardaneh, 2016; Vicino, 2008). 3 We apply this method to industrial zones based on their industry of employment composition.…”

Place-based drivers and effective management of population growth and change in regional Australia

“…The significance of economic specialisation in non-metropolitan growth in Australia has been shown in several studies that demonstrate that greater specialisation increases growth rates (Beer and Clower 2009;Mardaneh 2016;Plummer and Taylor 2001). Duranton and Puga's (2000) method was used to calculate a specialisation index for each SUA, using employment for each industry at the 3-digit (ANZSIC classification) level from ABS population censuses in 2011 or 2016.…”

Zoning a productive city? A typology of clustering, diversity and specialisation in Melbourne’s urban industrial areas

“…Drawing on this data, we employed k -means cluster analysis to develop the industrial zone typology. k -Means clustering is an established method in urban studies for identifying and studying neighbourhood and demographic typologies (Delmelle, 2016; Mardaneh, 2016; Vicino, 2008). 3 We apply this method to industrial zones based on their industry of employment composition.…”

Place-based drivers and effective management of population growth and change in regional Australia

“…The significance of economic specialisation in non-metropolitan growth in Australia has been shown in several studies that demonstrate that greater specialisation increases growth rates (Beer and Clower 2009;Mardaneh 2016;Plummer and Taylor 2001). Duranton and Puga's (2000) method was used to calculate a specialisation index for each SUA, using employment for each industry at the 3-digit (ANZSIC classification) level from ABS population censuses in 2011 or 2016.…”