Heterogeneity and continuity of geographical space: an example of functional regions in Slovakia

Abstract

Heterogeneity and continuity are two basic traits of geographic space that are also responsible for the problem of spatial uncertainty. In the existing research, heterogeneity and continuity have predominantly been discussed in relation to an analysis of scalar spatial information, i.e. information linked to a single place or a single region. This paper presents a possibility to express the heterogeneity and continuity of geographical space by vector information using methods of functional regional taxonomy. The first objective is to define functional regions in Slovakia based on daily travel-to-work flows (i.e. “crisp” expressions of heterogeneity of space sensu fuzzy set theory). Added value rests in the analyses and cartographic expressions of relative self-containments for resulting functional regions and an orientation of interregional commuting flows. The second objective is to express continuity of space symbolically through an analysis of uncertainty in the resulting system of functional regions.