Using appropriate diagram(s), briefly describe the Central Place Theory (CPT). How would (a) a rise in income and (b) decline in the cost of transporting goods influence distance between production sites?

Answer 1

The Central Place Theory (CPT) was developed by Walter Christaller in the early 20th century and explains the spatial distribution of cities and towns in a region based on economic principles. According to CPT, larger cities or towns act as central places that provide goods and services to surrounding smaller settlements. The theory suggests that the distance between central places is influenced by the size and population of each place, as well as the goods and services they offer.

In CPT, central places are arranged in a hierarchical fashion, with larger central places servicing a larger population and providing a wider range of goods and services. Smaller central places are located closer together to serve smaller populations and offer a more limited range of goods and services. This can be represented in a hexagonal pattern on a diagram, with larger central places at the center of the hexagons and smaller settlements at the vertices.

(a) A rise in income would lead to an increase in demand for goods and services, resulting in larger central places being able to expand their range of goods and services. This could lead to an increase in the size and population of central places, therefore expanding the distance between them as they service a larger area.

(b) A decline in the cost of transporting goods would make it more cost-effective for central places to transport goods over longer distances. This could lead to central places being able to expand their reach and service larger areas, potentially increasing the distance between production sites as they become more interconnected. The hexagonal pattern on the CPT diagram could become more spread out as central places expand their influence and the distance between them increases.