The spread effect of a spontaneous growth centre: Commuter expenditure patterns in the Edmonton metropolitan region, Canada

Ironside R. G. and Williams A. C. (1980) The spread effect of a spontaneous growth centre: commuter expenditure patterns in the Edmonton metropolitan region, Canada, Reg. Studies 14, 313–332. Using a behavioural approach, this paper examines the notion that the journey to work is potentially an important spread mechanism as commuters may transfer earned income from a growth centre to satellite communities. thus generating further economic activity in the retail and service trade sector by their expenditures. A questionnaire was used to gather detailed information on the spread effects from a spontaneous growth centre—Edmonton, Alberta, via commuter expenditures, to small urban centres in its hinterland, together with the factors influencing these patterns. Although commuter families spend less on goods and services in their community of residence than families employed locally, the analysis indicates that a large proportion of their expenditures are made locally in the small towns.