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SSR3033:Theories & Techniques of Regional

Planning

Central Place Theory - continuation17th October 2016

Objectives

• To explain the application of Central Place Theory in regional planning;

• To discuss its relevance and significance – then (1933) and in the modern day.

Central Place Theory: Interpretation and Application

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mjhs6oMg8M

origin

• Christaller attempts to explain the spatial arrangement, size, and number of settlements in a particular geographical area.

• Christaller noticed that towns of a certain size were roughly equidistant, and by examining and defining the functions of the settlement structure of certain cities and the size of their hinterland, he tried to model the pattern of settlement locations of different sized cities using geometric shapes, such as circles or hexagons (Christaller, 1966).

Central Place Theory

• each central place will have a circular market area as shown in C

• But it has either un-served areas or over-served areas.

• Christaller suggested the hexagonal shape

How it started?

A – A farmer who owns a vegetable-based production house and a launderette will have his own market range. B – As the business profiting, others may want to operate the same business. C – and it develops into hexagonal settlements as what we know today…

• The centre acts as the centre of services / nucleus of the surrounding community. Also acts as the centre to encourage social and economic activities – either in the form of goods or services.

The basic principles

The importance of one centre depends on the central of tendency – which is also determined by the size of the settlement.

– Metropolis tend to offer good / services of the higher order. High central of tendency.

– The number of function and commercial opportunities is higher at larger towns, compared to smaller towns.

– The size of settlement is directly proportionate with the size of the market range.

– Order of goods and services– Complementary areas– Economic distance

Source: Christaller, 1966 in McLaughlin, B. M. (2009)

• Assumptions do not reflect the reality • Christaller used phone index to determine the type

of services available. Today, phone is used also to perform social services, not solely on business purposes.

• There is no such thing as a hexagonal settlement. Settlements are formed in various forms.

• The assumption that transportation are distributed evenly is simplified

• It is eventually concluded that Christaller’s model is more and more inappropriate to be applied in the real world.

The Critique

Significance of Central Place Theory

“It is true that industrial and technical changes have brought changes in world trade pattern, and the relationships between town and country have become obscured. But, it is also equally true that the changed large cities have not lost their role as service centres for their extensive tributary areas, thus reflecting to some measure a central-place pattern”

(Sharma, undated)

• Basic knowledge to understand the form of settlements in a region

• The concept of central distribution is important in regional planning. The concept of population threshold and the distance to obtain goods/ services is equally important (e.g. knowledge of the size of population, transportation distribution, social services and income can be allocated)

the importance

Contd.

• By understanding the population & socioeconomic distribution of a region, a planner will be able to determine what to offer in the planning.

• Planning control through the concept of hierarchy, each settlement planned will play its role as required.

• Despite the criticism, this model is not too ideal or practical in term of understanding the settlement system as a whole.

Summary

• Central Place Theory – spatial pattern• Assumptions• Concepts• Significance• critiques

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Reference

• http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/geography/significance-and-applicability-of-central-place-theory-of-christaller/40034/