polycentric

[pol-ee-sen-trik]

adjective

1. having many centers, especially of power or importance.

   the polycentric world of banking.

Word History and Origins

Origin of polycentric¹

First recorded in 1885–90; poly- + -centric

Example Sentences

That vast, polycentric mass — long derided by urban experts residing in denser cities — can also be an asset in the years ahead as autonomous mobility becomes ubiquitous.

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Compared to "monocentric" development, "polycentric" spatial patterns better distributethe density of urban cores and curb the sprawl of impervious, heat-absorbing surfaces, according to the analysis of 50 city regions in Germany.

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Particularly in larger urban areas, polycentric development can moderatethe urban heat island effect, when built-up areas can be several degrees hotter than surrounding rural areas -- a potentially dangerous phenomenon during heat waves that are expected to grow more common due to climate change.

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Schmidt and Li said the findings have implications for regional-level planning that are already institutionalized in German and European systems that promote polycentric development as a goal.

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“You have to imagine a polycentric system, where each center plays its role in the setting of an orchestra.”

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