Central Place Theory


( Fig. 4.20 Hexagonal hinterlands fit together perfectly with no area unserved or overlapping


Key City Town


Market town Village


Boundaries


: Fig. 4.21 Circular hinterlands do not serve all areas.


hexagonal in shape so there were no overlapping or missed hinterlands of urban centres. Hinterlands with circular shapes are not satisfactory, as some areas between the circles are not served, or there is an overlap if the circles intertwine. The size of a hinterland is partly dependent on its size and functions of its central place (town) and the population density of the area. Central places located in areas with low population density tend to have larger hinterland, as people travel larger distances for lower order goods and services.


GEO DICTIONARY


Range: the distance people are willing to travel for a good or service Urban hierarchy: ranking of importance of urban centres Hinterland: area surrounding an urban centre where customers live


Criticisms and Weaknesses of the Theory


Christaller explained his theory on the basis that the population is evenly distributed over a flat area where the transport links to market centres are the same and that people will always travel to the nearest central place for their needs. However, in real life there are several factors that impact on people’s behaviour: l


Physical factors such as mountains, marshes and bogland prevent settlement from being distributed evenly.


l


Modern transport facilities give the advantage to larger settlements. This can be seen in the downgrading and closures of regional hospitals in favour of the establishment of medical centres of excellence in the HSE.


l


People do not always behave rationally when they are buying goods and services. People today are far more mobile than when the theory was devised. Most people now have cars and are prepared to travel further for better choice and cheaper prices.


l


Local resources also impact on the development of central places, e.g. mines or tourist amenities.


ACTIVE LEARNING 1. What is a central place?


2. What is meant by the term threshold?


3. What are the limitations of Christaller’s theory?


4. Using the OS map of Dungarvan, Fig. 4.30 on page 122, explain the town’s role as a central place.


Central place


Unserved area


SETTLEMENT 111


A


Z


A question on central place appears almost every year on the Higher Level paper. The question either asks you to explain the theory or to apply it to the main urban area visible on the OS map provided. On the next page, there is a useful Case Study of Carrick-on-Suir.


Note!


Elective 5: Human CHAPTER 4


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