Central Place Theory proposes that settlements are arranged in a hexagonal hierarchy based on their population and the goods/services provided. It was developed by Christaller in the 1930s to explain the spatial distribution of towns. While its assumptions do not reflect reality perfectly, it provides a basic framework for understanding how populations access goods and services based on the size of settlements. It remains significant for regional planning by showing how a hierarchy of central places can plan for equitable access to socioeconomic resources, though its model is not ideal given modern transportation and industry changes.
2. 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.
4. 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).
5. 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
6. 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…
7. • 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
8. 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
10. • 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
11. 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)
12. • 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
13. 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.
14. Summary
• Central Place Theory – spatial pattern
• Assumptions
• Concepts
• Significance
• critiques
