peripheries

Peripheries, the plural of periphery, refer to outer edges or boundary zones of a physical, social, or conceptual system. The term is used across disciplines to describe areas or parts that lie outside the center or core, and to indicate relationships between central and outlying elements.

In geography and urban studies, peripheries denote the outer districts of a city or region—often suburban or rural in character—with lower population density, different land uses, and variable access to services and employment. Peripheries can reflect growth through suburban expansion or, conversely, neglect and depopulation driven by economic shifts, infrastructure patterns, or policy choices.

In economic geography, peripheral regions are central to core–periphery models, in which the core concentrates capital, technology, and markets, while the periphery supplies labor and resources. Development outcomes for peripheries depend on factors such as infrastructure, governance, trade linkages, and diversification efforts; many face challenges of dependency, volatility, and outmigration, though targeted investment can alter trajectories.

In biology and medicine, periphery describes the outer parts of an organism or organ. Examples include the peripheral nervous system, which lies outside the brain and spinal cord, and peripheral tissues that surround central structures. The term also appears in ophthalmology as peripheral vision, the field of view toward the edges rather than the center.

Socially and politically, peripheries can refer to groups or communities situated away from centers of power or influence. The concept is used to examine marginalization, cultural resilience, regional identity, and the effects of centralization policies and development strategies.

Origin and usage: from Greek peri around and pherein to carry; the term is applied in phrases such as urban periphery, peripheral nervous system, and peripheral devices in computing.