The Formalization and Testing of Concepts of Growth Poles in a Spatial Context

This paper commences with a discussion of the formal characteristics that economic growth in a spatial setting must possess in order to be legitimately regarded as polarized growth. The conditions both for the case of a single growth pole and for the case of several growth poles are considered. A method is then outlined for determining whether or not spatially polarized growth does occur in a particular context, the method being illustrated by use of employment growth data for thirteen cities in the western United States.