THE HINTERLANDS STAKE IN METROPOLITAN GROWTH - EVIDENCE FROM SELECTEDSOUTHERN REGIONS

In this article we extend the Carlino and Mills and Boarnet models of local development to test for the presence and direction of rural area linkages to urban areas in Functional Economic Areas (FEAs). In a sam ple of southern FEAs, we detect a mix of spillover and backwash effect s from urban core and fringe areas to their rural hinterlands. Rural-a rea population and employment both grew faster than average between 19 80 and 1990 if in an FEA with a pattern of urban decentralization.