Multi-diversity clusters of commercial activities in the city of Porto: how neighbourhood concentrations shape the municipal hierarchy

Abstract

Today, commerce is regarded as city-shaping activity that has intrinsic connections with the way urban spaces are composed and function, and the choices people make on where to live and how to travel. Hence the literature is concerned about the territorial reflection of commercial hierarchies, particularly as the sector is increasingly changing due to new types of products, stores and purchase and payment options. In this paper we built on previous research associating retail with geo-morphological patterns, by analysing the hierarchies within the city of Porto, in Portugal, and focusing on neighbourhood clusters where all the five categories of retail considered are present (Daily; Occasional; Exceptional (Comparison); Occasional (Comparison); Isolated purchase). By introducing variables related to geographical proximity, morphology (relation to street segments) and the establishments themselves (activity type, opening date) we dig deeper into the organizational aspects of the commercial network, so that in future works causality effects can be understood, leading to a better managment of urban retail in a perspective of cohesion and equitable access.