Probing the Potential of an Open Computational Tool in Urban Polycentricity Research

This article responds to calls for theoretically informed, domain-specific tools in urban and regional studies by examining how computational tools might support research on polycentric urban regions (PURs). PURs are clusters of nearby, distinct yet functionally interconnected cities and have become a key lens for analyzing emerging regional geographies. Yet PUR research remains hampered by fragmented analytical approaches and a lack of shared methodological foundations. A dedicated tool ecosystem could help address these gaps, but progress is limited by the absence of a structured understanding of how the research community views tool-building and its potential benefits. Drawing on a web-based survey of leading PUR scholars, we find broad support for domain-specific computational tools, especially those enabling measurement of PUR formation and linking PUR dynamics to wider regional processes and patterns. However, we also identify a tension between acknowledging this need and researchers’ limited capacity to commit time and resources to collective tool-building efforts. Based on these shared expectations, we outline strategic priorities for PUR-oriented tool development—such as modules for calculating and visualizing indicators and tools for efficient cross-regional and longitudinal comparison—and highlight the importance of integrating low-barrier mechanisms for community feedback and interaction throughout the development process.