A functional region is a type of region that is defined by a specific social or economic attribute. It includes a central node and the surrounding area of activity for a related function. The region is designed based upon a functional, rather than political, criteria. The most obvious example of a functional region is a city itself, where the city center has a lot of well-paid white-collar jobs that people want, and people from rural areas move into the cities in order to get those good jobs. Other examples of functional regions include:
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Transport Zones: Functional regions are often defined by the reach of a transportation network. For example, in major cities like London and New York, the suburbs served by their subway systems allow people fast transport all around the city.
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Catchment Areas: Functional regions can also be defined by catchment areas, such as the area served by a particular school. If you live just across the street but you’re in the catchment area of a poorer-performing school, your house prices might be significantly lower.
Functional regions are different from formal and perceptual regions. Formal regions are defined by a common characteristic, such as a political boundary or a physical feature, while perceptual regions are defined by peoples perceptions and feelings about an area.
