Analyzing the economic logic of urban and regional systems from the point of view of Agglomeration and network

In recent years, various studies have been conducted regarding the logic governing the spatial organization of urban systems in Iran, emphasizing the transition of size-based and network-based paradigms. However, almost all of them explain the features of its spatial organization rather than focusing on the economic logic of urban systems. In this regard, the present article seeks to explain the financial logic of the spatial behaviors of urban systems in the interpretation of modern spatial phenomena with the review and genealogy of agglomeration and network economies. Considering the interpretive and discursive combination, a narrative review was used as the research method. Empirical evidence and review studies were searched in Google Scholar, IDEAS, Science Direct, and Scopus databases and were classified and selected based on “topic relevance”, “novelty” and “number of citations”. The results show first, there is a meaningful affinity between network and synergy as one of the dynamic dimensions of agglomeration economies. So that at least they complement each other and both are a source for benefiting from positive externalities. Second, while it is stated that the concept of agglomeration economies has different meanings in different spatial scales, it seems that the results of various studies at micro-industrial levels have become a cornerstone for explaining the economic behaviors of actors in urban and regional areas. Third, due to the change of the concept of agglomeration economies from a one-dimensional and static concept to a multi-dimensional and dynamic notion, new spatial phenomena cannot be interpreted in the form of one of these dimensions. Thus, it is necessary to explain them in some cases in addition to competitive logic, network logic, and sometimes territorial logic as well.