The statistical analysis shows that the six case study areas can be clustered according to its spatial-temporal development into three groups:
Milan, Bristol: continuing and rather strong spatial de-concentration of activities with: Milan: out-migration to areas which are more and more distant from the centre; and Bristol: a more polycentric pattern, with two other urban poles in the hinterland;
Stuttgart, Brussels: moderate spatial de-concentration of activities, tending towards a stagnation of the pattern with: Brussels: sprawl slowing more recently; and Stuttgart: sprawl at a low ebb
Rennes, Helsinki: continuing spatial concentration of activities: these two metropolitan areas do not exhibit all the classic conditions of urban sprawl

The sizes of these spatial systems in term of their areal zoning and also their aggregate populations and employments are very different as we illustrate on the next pages.