6533b7d8fe1ef96bd126b43e

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Centre et périphérie fondements et critères

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The concept of center is considered as one of the most important in spatial economy and in geography. The dualism center - periphery is mentioned in most varied contexts and even with most various meanings. The aim of this article is to bring the foundations of this inseparable couple to light. The idea of center, as in geometry, evokes first a privileged position. But a center is also a place of strong concentration of population, economicactivities, culture and authorities. The structure center - periphery created by a combination of the two preceding criteria is source of inequalities, asymmetries, polarization and domination. But the dualism center - periphery is too reducing. It is necessary to reason in terms of diffuse, progressive and subjective centrality. A general formal framework is proposed that covers the different types of centrality evoked