AP Human Geography: Unit 4 - Central Place Theory
Central Place Theory Overview
Purpose: Predicts the location and formation of urban settlements (hamlets, villages, towns, cities) based on trade and economic influence.
Conceptual Framework: Non-competing market areas determining city placement; spatial distribution of settlements forms a system.
Assumptions of Central Place Theory
Flat Surface: Assumes the landscape is flat with no physical barriers (mountains, rivers) that could affect trade routes and settlement placement.
Uniform Soil Fertility: Considers soil fertility as consistent, ignoring differences in agricultural productivity that could influence settlement viability.
Even Population Distribution: Presumes that population and purchasing power are uniformly distributed across the area, which does not reflect real-world demographics.
Uniform Transportation Network: Assumes a consistent transportation system that allows equal access to markets and goods in all directions (north, south, east, west).
Urban Settlement Hierarchy
Hamlet:
Definition: Smallest urban settlement; typically a few hundred people.
Key Characteristics: Offers minimal goods/services; typically a convenience store.
Hexagonal Trade Area: Central place located in the middle of the hexagon, defining the hamlet's economic influence.
Village:
Definition: Larger than a hamlet, it contains more amenities.
Goods/Services: Grocery stores, schools, churches, gas stations, possibly a small restaurant (e.g., McDonald's).
Trade Area: Overlaps hamlet areas but must be sufficiently distanced to prevent competition with other villages.
Town:
Definition: A more substantial settlement with diverse facilities.
Goods/Services: Chain restaurants, larger grocery stores, hospitals, schools (middle and high schools), and commercial businesses (e.g., Target).
Trade Area: Larger hexagonal area overlapping with villages or hamlets but not with other towns.
City:
Definition: Largest urban settlement, capable of supporting a vast array of services.
Goods/Services: Offers everything—airports, art galleries, universities, and various entertainment and retail options.
Trade Area: Largest hinterland hexagon, encompassing all smaller settlements' trade areas.
Hexagonal Hinterlands
Hexagonal Shape: Trade areas for settlements take the form of hexagons to avoid overlap and competition.
Interlocking Trade Areas: Cities, towns, villages, and hamlets are positioned to interlock hexagonally, ensuring that their trade areas do not compete.
Implications of Urban Settlement Distribution
Influence of Trade: Each settlement influences a specific trade area based on the goods and services offered, leading to unique economic zones.
Distance Between Settlements: As one moves from hamlets to cities, the distance between trade areas increases; hamlets are closely spaced, while cities are spread far apart (e.g., couple hundred miles).
Real-World Applications and Limitations
Not Always Accurate: While the Central Place Theory provides a framework, it may not account for all real-world variables such as geographical features and modern urban development trends.
Urban Coalescence: In reality, overlapping trade areas can lead to the formation of integrated metropolitan areas.
Economic Considerations in Urban Planning
Zoning Importance: Cities often divide regions into commercial, residential, and industrial zones to enhance livability and functional usability; mixed-use developments are becoming more popular.
Land Values: Mid rent is the cost per square foot of land, significantly affected by location (most expensive in CBD).
Demand and Supply: Scarcity of land in urban areas drives prices up, while more affordable land is typically found in suburban or rural areas.
Social Dynamics and Housing
NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard): This phenomenon illustrates community resistance to new developments in their vicinity, such as schools or incinerators, highlighting the conflict between local interests and urban planning needs.
Knowt
Note
Studied by 4 people
