AIM: Why are services distributed in predictable patterns? Do Now: Get into groups of 4 for “Guesstimation”

Do Now: Guesstimation (5 minutes) Get into groups of 4. Each group will receive 2 pages containing 4 situations. Debate the best answer for each situation. Be prepared to explain why you come up with your answers. Situation #1: Which mall is in a more affluent area? Situation #2:Where is the best place for an ice cream vendor to locate their business along boardwalk? It is a 5 mile long boardwalk. Situation #3: Where is the best place to place a business along a linear settlement if a competitor has already taken the best location? Situation #4: Farmers’ Market.

Where is the best place to locate a business in a linear settlement if a competitor is already located in the Middle?

Where is the best place for an ice cream vendor to locate their business along a boardwalk?

Why do farmer’s markets only appear in a periodic fashion?

Which mall is in a more affluent area, the Sunrise Mall or the Walt Whitman Mall? Why?

AIM: Why are services distributed in predictable patterns? Question: What is the standard shape used in Central Place Theory?

Central Place Theory – Walter Christaller, August LÖsch, Brian Berry Explains how services are distributed and why a regular pattern exists. Range and Threshold help define the size of the pattern. Like V0nn Thunen, topography is uniform Centers of equal size will be undifferentiated in the quality of the products of services that they provide. Products are the same everywhere that they may be found. If products are undifferentiated, distance traveled is the deciding factor for where to buy.

Assumptions in Central Place Theory an unbounded isotropic (all flat), homogeneous, limitless surface (abstract space) an evenly distributed population all settlements are equidistant and exist in a triangular lattice pattern evenly distributed resources distance decay mechanism perfect competition and all sellers are economic people maximizing their profits consumers are of the same income level and same shopping behaviour all consumers have a similar purchasing power and demand for goods and services Consumers visit the nearest central places that provide the function which they demand. They minimize the distance to be travelled no provider of goods or services is able to earn excess profit(each supplier has a monopoly over a hinterland)

More information The larger the settlements are in size, the fewer in number they will be, i.e. there are many small villages, but few large cities. The larger the settlements grow in size, the greater the distance between them, i.e. villages are usually found close together, while cities are spaced much further apart. As a settlement increases in size, the range and number of its functions will increase . As a settlement increases in size, the number of higher-order services will also increase, i.e. a greater degree of specialization occurs in the services

Midwest at Night

Learning Intentions To explain the size, number and distribution of places providing central place or service functions for the surrounding trade areas, in the belief that there is some ordering principle. Is there a hierarchy of places?

Larger Cities require larger ranges and larger hinterlands.

So how is life different in communities of differing size. Use your best judgment to determine some of the differences between living in the city, suburbs or a rural area. How is life easier? How is life harder? Which life affords more freedom?

An architect on Long Island once said A Starbucks and a 7-11 only have to be spread a half mile apart from another Starbucks or 7-11 when on the same side of a road. They can be across the street from each other on a main road. At one time, my local mall had 2 Macys stores located within it. One has since converted to a Bloomingdales.

What factors need to be considered when setting up a business if the entreprenuer thinks about Central Place Theory or the Linear Model?

Factors to consider when setting up a business Profitability of a Location Optimal Location within a market Threshold and Range. Linear or Non Linear. Income of people living in location

Linear Communities or Cities have one major street. Most of Miami is along one street. Where is the best place to locate a business in a community where all major activity is located on one street?

RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE!!!! Where is the best place to locate a business in a linear settlement if a competitor is already located in the Middle?

Rank Size Rule It is believed that in an ideal country, the cities follow a rank-size rule. The 2nd largest city is ½ the size of the largest city. The 4th largest city is ¼ the size of the largest city. 1 New York New York 8,363,710 2 Los Angeles California 3,833,995 3 Chicago Illinois 2,853,114 4 Houston Texas 2,242,193 5 Phoenix Arizona 1,567,924 6 Philadelphia 1,540,351 7 San Antonio Texas 1,351,305

LDCs often do not follow this rule. Many only have 1 major city…. Why?