The Vysokovsky polycentric model as a tool to assess polycentric spatial structure: The case of major Russian cities

Cities. 2026. No. 179. Article 107688.

Молодцова В. А., Бабейкин Р. В., Гончаров Р. В.

Polycentric spatial models hold substantial promise for informing urban planning decisions. This paper explores the utility of the Vysokovsky polycentric model, the so-called Unevenly Zoned Model (UZM), in identifying distinctive features of polycentric urban spatial structures. A comparative analysis is conducted by constructing the model for four major Russian cities: Perm, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, and Samara. The UZM employs a “moving window” technique to locate local urban nuclei, which helps the model capture specific features of the territory's development. The analysis reveals significant differences in the spatial structures of the cities studied, including complex, highly hierarchical systems of urban subcenters and variations in the distribution of commercial area among different-level nuclei. Similarities are also noted, such as the zonal distribution of urban nuclei in several cities. The results have applications in urban planning and can be integrated into existing tools to update land-use regulations. Furthermore, the study's implications may serve as a foundation for developing a comprehensive methodology to support data-driven urban planning decisions.

Ключевые слова: urban planning, polycentricity, spatial structure, unevenly zoned model, polycentric model, spatial structure, polycentricity, polycentric model, unevenly zoned model, urban planning

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