Peripheralitysquared: Mapping the fractal spatiality of peripheralization in the Danube region of Romania

Abstract

Starting from the assumption that the core/periphery relations are fractal assemblages of scale of varying intensity, this paper explores and maps at a finely-grained scale the alignment between the socioeconomic and relational attributes of place in a context of peripheralitysquared whereby further peripheralization occurs within a ‘periphery’. To illustrate this context we focus on the Danube region of Romania. Building on two relatively disparate dimensions of peripherality and mobilizing a range of micro-scale data, we construct the socioeconomic and relational indexes, separately and combined, in order to identify the fractal spatiality of the region through micro-scale maps. Examining the spatial (mis)match between varying levels of development and connectivity helps identify territorial assets whose development may enable a more even spatiality that reduces spatial exclusion. Our paper invites scholars to question binary core/periphery or dominant/dominated understandings of peripherality. The fact that our indexes were only slightly correlated raises questions on how peripherality should be interpreted and operationalized; further research on the relationship between its socioeconomic and relational dimensions in other regions of the world would be welcomed.

Topics & Concepts