Regional Disparities in Brabantine Urbanisation before and after the Industrial Revolution (1374–1970): Some Aspects of Measurement and Explanation

This contribution examines the level of urbanisation as a specific indicator of structural differences between some regions in Belgium. The purpose is to describe and to analyse very long-term changes in the regional dispersion of urbanisation. A distinction has to be made between the study of disparities of aggregates and structures. My discussion will not be directed to regional gaps in wages, prices or (per capita) product. The disparities will concern the increasing or declining unevenness of structural socio-economic development during the periods before and after the Industrial Revolution.