Skip to main content
Log in

Barriers in spatial interactions and communications

A conceptual exploration

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
The Annals of Regional Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Barriers are defined as discontinuities in the broadly defined marginal costs of communication, usually leading to a discontinuity in interaction. This paper addresses conceptual issues about barriers to communication. Several typologies of barriers are given. For example, according to the degree of permeability, barriers may discourage interaction, or may even be entirely impermeable, but examples may also be given of barriers which stimulate communication in one or both directions. Another typology of barriers addresses reasons of existence, including natural barriers, barriers created for protection purposes, barriers created for reasons of convenience, etc. The paper concludes with a number of suggestions for further research on communication barriers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Batten D, Kobayashi K, Andersson AE (1988) Knowledge, nodes and networks: An analytical perspective, working paper 1988–19. CERUM, Umea

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumol WJ, Wolff EN (1984) Feedback models: R & D, info, and productivity growth. In: Jussawalla M, Ebenfield H (eds) Communication and information economics. North-Holland, Amsterdam, pp 73–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Biehl D (1986) The contribution of infrastructure to regional development. EEC, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  • Broecker J (1984) How do international trade barriers affect interregional trade? In: Andersson AE, Isard W, Puu T (eds) Regional and industrial development theories. North-Holland, Amsterdam, pp 219–239

    Google Scholar 

  • European Communities (1988) Research on the cost of non-Europe. Basic findlings, vol. 1. Luxembourg

  • Giaoutzi M, Nijkamp P (eds) (1988) Informatics and regional development. Gower, Aldershot

    Google Scholar 

  • Klaassen LH, Wagenaar S, Weg A van der (1972) Measuring psychological distance between the Flemings and the Walloons. Papers of the regional science association, vol 29, pp 45–62

  • Lakshmanan TR (1988) Infrastructure and economic transformation. In: Andersson AE, Batten D, Johansson B, Nijkamp P (eds) Advances in spatial theory and dynamics. North-Holland, Amsterdam, pp 241–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauder G (1988) Telecommunications and regional development in the European community. Netcom 2(2):109–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyrowitz HR (1985) No sense of place. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Naisbitt J (1982) Megatrends. Warner Books, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson RR, Winter SG (1982) An evolutionary theory of economic growth. Harvard University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Nijkamp P, Salomon I (1989) Future spatial impacts of telecommunication. Transport Planning Technol 13:275–287

    Google Scholar 

  • Nuesser HG (1985) Die Bedeutung von Hemmnisfaktoren für die Entwicklung des Verkehraufkommens. DFVLR-Nachrichten 45:32–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Salomon I (1986) Telecommunications and travel: A review. Transport Res A 20:223–238

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nijkamp, P., Rietveld, P. & Salomon, I. Barriers in spatial interactions and communications. Ann Reg Sci 24, 237–252 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01580472

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01580472

Keywords

Navigation