Explaining objective forces, driving forces, and causal mechanisms affecting the formation and expansion of the peri-urban areas: A critical realism approach

Accelerated urbanization in peri-urban areas of metropolises is one of the emerging issues of the past decades which has numerous physical, social, economic, and environmental consequences in these areas. Such a process converts the peri-urban areas into a challenging part, the guidance of which requires a comprehensive understanding of them in all its dimensions. The most important of these dimensions are effective forces and mechanisms in the formation and expansion of peri-urban areas around metropolises. With this in mind, this paper, using a critical realism approach and a systematic review, explains first the effective objective forces in the formation and expansion of peri-urban areas in the form of different patterns of peri-urbanization. Then, the driving forces affecting these patterns are examined. Finally, the underlying causal structures and mechanisms affecting these forces are explained. The results indicate a three-level framework including (a) the objective forces including centripetal and centrifugal forces; (b) the driving forces in the form of structural driving forces, functional driving forces, and institutional driving forces; and (C) the underlying causal structures and mechanisms. This framework can lead to a deep understanding of peri-urban areas and open new horizons for urban and regional planners to solve the challenges of these areas.

Automated summary

The accelerated urbanization in peri-urban areas of metropolises is a emerging issue with various physical, social, economic, and environmental consequences. Through a critical realism approach and a systematic review, this paper identifies a three-level framework to deepen the understanding of peri-urban areas and provide new perspectives for urban and regional planners to address the challenges in these areas.