Polycentric structure and the co-agglomeration of economic activities in Bogota: A nonparametric perspective.

Is widely recognized the polycentric structure of modern cities. However, little is known about the economic links between employment subcenters and the CBD, and the economic structure of subcenters. This study focuses in explore spatial relations between clusters of firms located in the same subcenter in Bogota. The methodological strategy is based on nonparametric estimators. First, the identification of subcenters using sectorial employment data is done. The second task examines the economic linkages between each of the subcenters and the CBD. Finally, bivariate Ripley´s K function is estimated in order to identify the presence of spatial clusters and attraction or repulsion relations between economic activities inside the subcenter. The results show that there are ten important employment subcenters, not including the CBD. Most subcenters have complimentary relations with CBD. Finally, only few subcenters have clusters structure well defined by employment activities that are characterized by attract other complimentary economic activities.