Urban Hierachies Flashcards
Arrange urban settlements in hierarchies according to size and function
Primate metropolitan Major metropolitan Metropolitan Major country town Country town Minor country town Local service center
What is a conurbation?
Continuous urban area
Eg: Witwatersrand
What is a megalopolis?
Formed when conurbations join together through urban sprawl
Eg. New York and Boston
What is the central place theory?
Developed by Walter christaller in 1933
Explains location size and function of urban settlements
What are the ideas of the central place theory?
Convenience and cheapest price while shopping
Maximizing profits and attracting most customers
Minimizing travel costs when buying goods
What is a low order center?
Small settlement offering low order functions and goods
What is a high order center?
Larger settlement offering low and high order functions and goods
What is a central place?
An urban settlement that provides goods and services to the surrounding rural areas
What is the threshold population?
Minimum number of people required to support a business
What is the sphere of influence?
Area from which a business draws its customers
What is the range of goods?
Maximum distance a customer is willing to travel to purchase something at a central palace
