Warm-up: Thursday Read the article and answer the following questions: 1. What is this article about? 2. What is an obstacle for urban farmers? 3. How is urban agriculture sustainable?
The Von Thunen Model AP Human Geography
Review: What is a model? Models are examples that help us better understand a major concept or idea. Models are NOT exact and are flexible. Models are NOT perfect. Models might look different in reality than the do in theory.
Historical Background “A Portion of Each Crop is Eaten By the Wheels!”- von Thunen. Germany, 1820’s. Developed by Johann Heinrich von Thunen in the early 1800’s (19 th century) Based on the layout of Rostock, Germany Noticed a pattern of 4 rings developed around the central city. – Each ring was a different type of agriculture. Created before highways, railroads, factories, etc.
The Big Idea! Farmers grow certain crops closer to the market (aka central city) while others are grown farther away. Why? It’s all about the Benjamin$, baby! Decision to grow certain crops in certain places is based on profit.
The Formula Profit = Market Price – Production Costs Production costs include cost of labor, equipment, and TRANSPORTATION! Factor 1: The bulkier the product, the more it costs to transport. Factor 2: The more perishable a product, the closer to the market it has to be. Factor 3: The more land a product needs, the farther from the central city it should be (land closer to city is more expensive) All of these must be considered when deciding what to grow where!
Bid-Rent Curve As distance from city center increases, cost of land goes down.
What was his theory? Concentric Rings of ag. activity surround a city Each ring is different type of ag. Pattern is intensive to extensive
Layer 1: Urban Center/Market At the heart of the model is the city, where people live and work Primarily where agricultural products are brought to be sold
Layer 2: Market gardening and Dairy Market gardening = fruits, vegetables, flowers Why near city? Perishable Profitable/demand high $ Can afford high rent
Layer 3: Forest Ring of trees provide building materials and firewood Model produced before widespread use of coal Heavy/hard/costly to transport Located close for easy transportation
Layer 4: Various Crops and Grains Large scale farms that allow for grain production (extensive crops) Grains much lighter and easier to transport
Layer 5: Livestock Ranching Large open areas where animals can freely roam Extensive...need lots of land...land is cheaper Perishable once slaughtered, but animals can transport themselves!
Beyond the rings… Beyond the rings: Wilderness Too far from city, too expensive to transport anything.
Let’s mess with Von Thunen What if a River moved through the middle of his model? What does a river do?
Cool!
A Railroad from the SE Cool Thunen!
Major Intersection Whoa Thunen!
Another Small Market Suburban Thunen!
Pretty darn close!
Assumptions of Von Thunen Model The city is located centrally within an "Isolated State" which is self sufficient and has no external influences. The Isolated State is surrounded by an unoccupied wilderness. The land of the State is completely flat and has no rivers or mountains to interrupt the terrain. The soil quality and climate are consistent throughout the State. Farmers in the Isolated State transport their own goods to market via oxcart, across land, directly to the central city. Therefore, there are no roads. Farmers act to maximize profits.
Limitations of Von Thunen Model Doesn’t take into account modern transportation technology: – Roads and railroads for easier transport – Refrigerated transport for perishable goods
But it’s still important … Still relevant in less developed countries Still applicable in the developed world because it emphasizes that land near the cities is more expensive