Central Place Theory Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of 'threshold' in Central Place Theory?

  • The cost associated with transportation for goods.
  • The amount of competition present in a market area.
  • The maximum distance consumers are willing to travel for goods.
  • The minimum market needed to sell a particular good or service. (correct)

Which type of goods are frequently replenished and typically sold by small businesses?

  • High-order goods
  • Specialized goods
  • Luxury items
  • Low-order goods (correct)

What factor primarily influences transport cost in Central Place Theory?

  • Market demand
  • Distance traveled (correct)
  • Time of day
  • Type of good

What is the largest community size within the central place system?

<p>Regional Capital (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What shape do central places form when imagined in relation to consumer distribution?

<p>Hexagons (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes high-order goods?

<p>Specialized items bought less often. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a perfect competition scenario, what drives sellers to maximize their profits?

<p>Market demand (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do some businesses selling high-order goods struggle in small populations?

<p>Limited purchasing frequency (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What principle uses a constant K=3 in central place theory?

<p>Marketing principle (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the transportation principle in central place theory?

<p>Areas are four times bigger than the next lowest order. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the administrative principle (K=7) indicate about market areas?

<p>They cover the trade areas of lower orders. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a criticism of the central place theory?

<p>Production costs are solely based on scale. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor does not influence the validity of the central place theory?

<p>Predictable economic growth (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who modified Christaller's central place theory due to its rigidity?

<p>August Losch (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a factor considered by the central place theory?

<p>Economic competition and its effects (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the market areas as one moves up in the central place hierarchy?

<p>They multiply based on a constant factor. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do leading industries and propulsive firms primarily influence?

<p>The concentration of economic activity in a limited number of centres (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'spread effect' in the context of growth poles?

<p>The outward radiating of economic dynamism from a growth pole (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major criticism of the growth pole concept?

<p>It assumes all regions can develop growth poles equally (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the model for analyzing agricultural location patterns?

<p>Johann Heinrich von Thunen (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason for the location of propulsive firms?

<p>Location near historical landmarks (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the process of geographical polarization occur?

<p>Via the flow of resources towards growth poles (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a known limitation of the growth pole concept?

<p>Inadequate differentiation between types of growth poles (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the goals of Johann Heinrich von Thunen's model?

<p>To explain variations in farm product prices (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason wood is located close to the city in von Thunen's model?

<p>It is valuable for cooking and heating. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of crops is found in the fourth zone of von Thunen's model?

<p>Extensive field crops (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are ranching activities located in the outermost ring of the von Thunen model?

<p>Animals can self-transport to the market. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the variable 'R' represent in the mathematical model of von Thunen?

<p>Rent per unit of land (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'unoccupied land' refer to in von Thunen's rings?

<p>Land too far from the city for agriculture. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a criticism of the von Thunen model?

<p>It assumes fixed climate and technology levels. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the von Thunen model, which activities are likely to be located nearest to the market?

<p>High transport cost products (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the aim of the farmer in von Thunen’s model?

<p>To maximize profit through yield and costs. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What adaptations might allow the von Thunen model to be more applicable in modern contexts?

<p>Introduction of differential transportation costs (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do modern refrigerators impact the application of the von Thunen model?

<p>They enable longer distance transportation of perishable products. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key concept of the core-periphery model as proposed by John Friedmann?

<p>Core regions must integrate surrounding areas for sustainability. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What plays a major role in determining urban land values according to the von Thunen model?

<p>Accessibility to different urban system elements (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which type of economies do von Thunen's principles remain particularly relevant?

<p>Less developed countries (LDCs) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect significantly influences the price of land according to the von Thunen model?

<p>The distance from urban centers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What might differentiate transportation modes in the context of the von Thunen model?

<p>The type of goods being transported (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical factor in urban land value as implied in the discussion on urban centers?

<p>Traffic time and energy required to reach locations (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is characteristic of core-periphery relationships in developing countries?

<p>They lead to urban prosperity and rural poverty. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the core-periphery model, what typically happens when a section of a country experiences accelerated economic development?

<p>It attracts investments and resources for further development. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does neocolonialism relate to the core-periphery theory?

<p>It refers to the developed world's control over developing regions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about income distribution in Brazil compared to Canada based on the core-periphery theory?

<p>Brazil’s income inequality is more pronounced than Canada’s. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome of the core area's expansion process?

<p>It will initially expand to geographically similar areas. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the wealth distribution in Brazil based on the content?

<p>Only a small percentage controls the majority of the income. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The core-periphery theory primarily indicates that growth in core regions occurs at the expense of what?

<p>Exploited peripheral areas. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about regional disparities is correct?

<p>Developing countries often have more pronounced regional disparities. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Threshold in Central Place Theory

The minimum number of customers or amount of income needed for a business to be profitable. This ensures a steady flow of customers to make the business viable.

Range in Central Place Theory

The maximum distance a consumer is willing to travel to purchase a product. This takes into account the cost of travel and the value of the product.

Low-Order Goods

Goods that are bought frequently and are typically available in smaller businesses. These items are less expensive and often necessary for daily life.

High-Order Goods

Goods that are purchased less often, are typically more expensive, and require a larger consumer base. These items are usually purchased at larger stores or specialized shops.

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Central Place Hierarchy

The concept that different types of settlements exist with varying levels of services and populations.

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Hamlet

The smallest rural community in the central place hierarchy; it lacks many services found in larger settlements.

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Hexagon in Central Place Theory

The geometric shape that represents the market area of a central place, assuming even distribution of consumers and distance.

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Least Delivered Price

Christaller's assumption that consumers will buy goods from the supplier with the lowest total cost, including price and transportation expenses.

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Leading Industries and Propulsive Firms

The idea that certain industries, located in 'growth poles', drive economic development and attract other businesses to the area.

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Polarisation

The concentration of economic activity in specific locations, often near 'growth poles' due to the attraction of new enterprises.

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Spread Effect

The spread of economic benefits and development from a 'growth pole' to surrounding areas.

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Von Thunen Model

A model that explains how the location of agricultural activities is influenced by factors like transportation costs and market price.

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Growth Pole Concept: Criticism 1

A criticism of the 'growth pole' concept arguing that growth doesn't always spread out evenly.

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Growth Pole Concept: Criticism 2

A criticism of the 'growth pole' concept stating that it ignores the factors that led to the establishment of growth poles.

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Growth Pole Concept: Criticism 3

A criticism of the 'growth pole' concept arguing that a significant amount of initial investment is needed to create a new growth pole.

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Johann Heinrich von Thunen

Prussian land owner who developed the Von Thunen Model.

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Central Place Theory

A theory that explains the spatial distribution of settlements based on their economic functions and the relationships between them.

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Marketing Principle (K=3)

The principle that states that the market area of a higher-order central place is three times larger than the market area of the next lower-order central place.

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Transportation Principle (K=4)

The principle that states that the market area of a higher-order central place is four times larger than the market area of the next lower-order central place.

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Administrative Principle (K=7)

The principle that states that the market area of a higher-order central place is seven times larger than the market area of the next lower-order central place.

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Production Cost Variations

A criticism of central place theory stating that production costs may vary due to factors other than economies of scale, such as natural resource endowments.

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Unequal Transportation Costs

A criticism of central place theory stating that transportation costs may not be equal in all directions.

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Uneven Rural Markets

A criticism of central place theory that suggests rural markets are not evenly distributed.

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Losch's Central Place Theory

A modification of Christaller's central place theory developed by August Losch that addressed the limitations of the original theory.

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Core-Periphery Theory

The theory suggests that the development and prosperity of wealthy "core" regions often come at the expense of less developed "peripheral" regions.

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Core Expansion to Similar Areas

Areas of similar characteristics, like neighboring towns, tend to become part of the expanding urban core, while areas with different characteristics are often left behind.

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Circular and Cumulative Causation

The process where economic advantages in a region attract more investment and resources, leading to further development and widening the gap between prosperous cores and declining peripheries.

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Neocolonialism

The idea that developed nations (the core) exploit developing nations (the periphery) for their resources and labor, hindering their growth and development.

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Moderate Core-Periphery Model

It argues that while regional disparities exist in all countries, they are more pronounced in developing countries.

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Growth Pole Concept

A concept that emphasizes how certain industries in specific regions, called 'growth poles', drive economic development and attract other businesses.

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Criticism of Spread Effect

A criticism that highlights the uneven distribution of growth, where some areas may benefit more than others from a 'growth pole'.

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Economic Heartlands and Outlying Zones

The idea that the prosperity of a region (the core) often influences the development of surrounding areas (the periphery) as the core seeks to expand its economic and political influence.

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Friedmann's Contribution to Core-Periphery Theory

The idea that the core-periphery model was developed in 1963 by John Friedmann.

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Uneven Growth Spreads

A criticism of the core-periphery theory that acknowledges that the benefits of growth might not be evenly distributed to all regions or people.

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Transportation Cost in Land Use

A factor that influences the location of agricultural activities, as described by the Von Thunen Model. It refers to the relative cost of transporting goods from the farm to the market.

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Balance of Land Cost and Transport

The Von Thunen Model's focus on the balance between land cost and transportation costs. Land near cities is more expensive, while agricultural lands farther away are cheaper due to transportation costs.

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Location as Key Variable in Urban Land Value

The principle that the most important factor influencing urban land value is its location with regards to amenities and accessibility.

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Modern Location Considerations

The idea that today, people consider location not just in terms of distance but also factors like convenience, traffic, stress, and how accessible various urban facilities are.

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Von Thunen Rings Model

A model explaining how land use patterns develop around a central city based on transportation costs and economic rent. Products with high transport costs, like dairy, are located closer to the city, while those with lower costs, like grains, are located further away.

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Mathematical Analysis of Von Thunen Model

The economic rent a farmer earns from a plot of land is determined by the yield, market price, production costs, and distance to the market (central city), leading to a spatial distribution of agricultural activities.

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Zone 1: Horticulture and Dairying

This zone is closest to the city where fresh, perishable products like dairy and vegetables are grown due to their high transport costs.

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Zone 3: Forest Products

In this zone, timber and firewood are produced for fuel and building materials. Wood is heavy and expensive to transport, so it is located close to the city for easy access.

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Zone 4: Extensive Field Crops

Here, extensive field crops like grains are grown for bread. Grains are less perishable and less expensive to transport than dairy or fuel, making them suitable for locations further from the city.

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Zone 5: Ranching and Animal Products

Ranching is found here, farthest from the city. Animals can be raised far away because they are self-transporting, walking to the city for sale or butchering.

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Zone 6: Unoccupied Land

This area beyond the city is too far for agricultural production due to the high transport costs.

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Weaknesses and Criticism of the Model

The original Von Thunen model assumed an isolated state with no roads or technological advancements. It also ignored the impact of local site conditions on land use.

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Study Notes

Introduction to Spatial Dimensions of Development

  • Spatial originates from the word "space".
  • To geographers, "space" implies the distribution of things, the movement of people and processes, and the entire or part of the earth.
  • A geographer's "space" is earth space, which is the surface area occupied or available to be occupied by humans.

Why is space important to the geographer?

  • Geography is a spatial science.
  • It analyzes the spatial behavior of people.
  • It explores spatial relationships observed between places on Earth's surface.
  • It investigates spatial processes that create or maintain behaviors and relationships.
  • Location, direction, and distance are crucial in understanding spatial interaction.

Location

  • Absolute location pinpoints a place using coordinates (latitude and longitude).
  • Examples of absolute location include survey systems (townships, ranges, and sections) and street addresses.
  • Relative location describes a place's position in relation to other places or activities.
  • Relative location expresses spatial interconnection and interdependence.
  • Site refers to the actual location of a settlement (internal factors) and includes specific physical characteristics of the landscape.
  • Situation describes the location of a place relative to its surroundings and other places (external factors), highlighting accessibility and connections with other areas.

Direction

  • Absolute direction uses cardinal points (North, South, East, West).
  • These are derived from natural observations.
  • Relative or relational direction varies culturally and locationally, despite reference to cardinal compass points.

Distance

  • Absolute distance measures spatial separation using units like miles or kilometers (for widely separated locales) or feet/meters (for smaller distances).
  • Relative distance considers travel time or other meaningful units for analyzing spatial relationships in the context of the question.
  • Psychological perception of distance plays a role in how we view distances.

Location Theories

  • Development economists and policy makers are sometimes criticized for overlooking spatial considerations in policymaking.
  • Past economic theories, like those of Adam Smith, Ricardo, and Marshall, frequently disregarded space.
  • 1958 Walter Isard's work, "Location and Space Economy," highlighted the importance of understanding space in economic theory and development.
  • Different fields like regional science, spatial behavior, human geography, spatial economic analysis, and transportation/trade consider spatial dimensions of development.

Central Place Theory

  • Walter Christaller developed central place theory, outlining patterns, size, and numbers of towns/cities.
  • The theory aims to explain reasons behind the distribution of towns and cities based on their economic relationships with surrounding areas.
  • Christaller's theory relies on assumptions such as uniform distribution of population, similar tastes for goods, uniform transportation costs in all directions, and the existence, and no impediments to movement across the surface.

Central Place Theory: Assumptions

  • The theory assumes an unbounded, isotropic (flat) surface.
  • There are no barriers to movement. Consumers are uniformly distributed.
  • Population density and consumer characteristics are homogenous. Transportation rate is uniform. Prices are F.O.B.
  • Perfect competition exists among suppliers. One type of transport is assumed.

Central Place Theory: Threshold and Range

  • Threshold signifies the minimum market size (population or revenue) needed to ensure the profitability of a business and the sale of a particular good or service.
  • Range shows the maximum travel distance consumers are willing to cover to procure a good or service.

Central Place Theory: Low-Order and High-Order Goods

  • Low-order goods are purchased frequently (e.g., groceries). High-order goods are bought less often (e.g., cars).
  • Businesses selling low-order goods can thrive in smaller towns due to frequent purchases.
  • High-order goods require large markets (larger cities) due to less frequent purchases.

Central Place Theory: Size and Spacing

  • Central place systems have five community sizes: Hamlet, Village, Town, City, and Regional Capital.
  • The theory assumes the central place is located at the vertices of equilateral triangles and serves evenly distributed consumers closest to it. Hexagonal market areas form with the central place at the center.

Central Place Theory: Order Principles

  • The marketing principle (K=3) indicates market areas at a particular level of the hierarchy are three times larger than those at the next lower level.
  • The transportation principle (K=4) shows that higher-level market areas are four times larger than lower areas.
  • The administrative principle (K=7) shows how sizes vary between the highest and lowest levels, implying full coverage by the highest level area.

Central Place Theory: Criticisms

  • Predicted city patterns may deviate due to varying production costs.
  • Transportation costs are often unequal.
  • Distribution patterns of rural markets are not uniform.
  • Socioeconomic and other non-economic factors impacting distribution patterns haven't been thoroughly considered.
  • Competition and "imperfect competition" can impact freight absorption.

Losch’s Central Place Theory

  • August Losch modified Christaller’s theory, questioning its rigidity as profit maximizing considerations were overlooked.
  • Losch’s theory emphasized maximizing consumer welfare and minimizing travel for goods.

Growth Pole Concept

  • Francois Perroux introduced the growth pole concept in 1955.
  • Growth is uneven, concentrated around specific "growth poles" (often key industries or cities).
  • These poles have direct and indirect effects on economic development in related industries, boosting output, employment, investments, and innovation within the region.
  • The economies of scale in large cities provide high returns, thus supporting industrial infrastructure and growth diversification.

Growth Pole Concept: Assumptions

  • Growth poles expand to have economic relations with the capital city and elsewhere.
  • Manufactured goods flow from the capital city to the growth pole.
  • Growth poles use a free market approach to create ripple effects throughout the region.
  • Investments in industrial growth in growth poles will result in economic benefits to both agriculture and commercial sectors.

Growth Pole Concept: Criticisms

  • In certain instances, the selected cities didn't experience the anticipated growth, so the trickle-down effect was often not strong enough to boost regional development.
  • The concept didn't account for differences in natural versus constructed growth poles, as well as outside influence and limited initial investments in new growth centers.

Von Thunen Model

  • Johann Heinrich von Thunen created a model to explain agricultural land use patterns by comparing production costs, market prices, and transportation costs.
  • The model considers various agricultural zones based on the distance from the market (central city).
  • This allows for variations in farm product prices and how this influences agricultural land use.

Von Thunen Model: Assumptions

  • The city and surrounding agricultural land form an "isolated state," unaffected by external factors.
  • The land is completely flat without any natural barriers (rivers, mountains).
  • Soil quality and climate are uniform.
  • Transportation costs depend solely on distance from the market (central city).
  • Farmers aim to maximize profit.

Von Thunen Model: Rings

  • Ring 1—Intensive farming/dairy is closest to the city to minimize transportation costs.
  • Ring 2—Forest resources (firewood, timbers) follow as these materials are heavy.
  • Ring 3—Extensive field crops are located farther from the city and have a lower transport cost.
  • Ring 4—Livestock ranching is farthest from the central market; animals can be self-moved (thus requiring less transportation cost).
  • Ring 5—Unoccupied land, too distant for any agricultural product.

Von Thunen Model: Mathematical Analysis

  • Rent per unit of land is a function of production/operating costs plus transport costs.
  • A farmer is on the economic margin if the costs of production plus transportation are equal to the value of the item at market.
  • The model emphasizes maximising profit (market price less production/transport costs). The highest transport cost areas are closest to the city.

Von Thunen Model: Weaknesses and Criticisms

  • The model views an isolated state, ignoring the impact of diverse land or external conditions.
  • The model doesn't account for transportation cost differences (e.g., water); technological advancements, such as refrigeration, and transportation methods (rail).

Core-Periphery Theory

  • John Friedmann developed the core-periphery theory in 1963.
  • The theory focuses on economic wealth disparities and regional contrasts within countries.
  • Correlates this with wealth and growth in the heartland of a country, alongside economic exploitation/deprivation of those further from the center.

Core-Periphery Theory: International Significance

  • Development of affluent core areas is often at the expense of less developed and exploited peripheral areas.
  • The theory can be interpreted as showing the developed countries gaining in economic or political power over the developing countries.
  • Wealthy countries retain significant control and influence over the developing world.

Core-Periphery Theory: Regional Variations

  • Regional disparities in wealth, development, and growth exist globally.
  • Developing countries often have more pronounced regional disparities than developed countries.
  • Examples such as Brazil's income distribution demonstrate this disparity as the poorest countries are not proportionally involved in the growth experienced by the country as a whole.

Core-Periphery Theory: Expansion and Trickle-Down Effects

  • Core areas may initially expand to geographically similar areas before moving into dissimilar ones as resources are exhausted in the periphery.
  • A "trickle-down" effect is assumed in that core regions' benefits diffuse outward into peripheral areas, ultimately leading to income equality across regions.

Core-Periphery Theory: Four-Stage Sequence

  • Felmann et al. (1999) suggest a four-stage sequence describing space-economy.
  • Stage 1: Pre-industrial society includes localized and self-sufficient economies.
  • Stage 2: Core-Periphery stage
  • Stage 3: Economic activity dispersal and control transfer into periphery areas.
  • Stage 4: Spatial integration occurs as separate components interdependently work together.

Core-Periphery Theory: The Semi-Periphery

  • The semi-periphery exists as a middle ground between core and periphery areas, and frequently bridge the gap between the most developed core countries and the poorer peripheral nations, thus contributing to a degree of political and economic balance.

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