The Evolution of Settlement Systems in Classic Central Place Theory
https://doi.org/10.31857/S2587556621020047
Abstract
Considering the features of the evolutionary development of central places' systems, we establish that, contrary to the prevailing point of view, in the general case there is no pronounced relationship between the share of urban population and the number of central places of a lower hierarchy level subordinate to the central place of a given level. Moreover, the axiom of the theory, stating the heterogeneous distribution of only the urban population, should be replaced by the following: “Space is homogeneous and isotropic in all respects, with the exception of the distribution of the entire population or part of it.” Thus, the existence of central systems without rural population does not contradict the theory itself in its classic version. The evolution of central places' systems within an infinite lattice takes place by sequentially filling the hierarchy levels (increasing the value of the K-parameter for a given level), interrupted by the appearance of subsystems (increasing the number of hierarchy levels with constant K)—at least after filling the second and the fifth levels. The article substantiates the possibility of considering the isolated sections of the lattice. In this regard, the axiom of the “rational” consumer behavior can be considered excessive, and the postulate of the infinity of space is rejected. Only two initial axioms—on the polymorphism of central places' systems and on the most compact “packaging” of their parts—can be considered unshakable.
Supporting agencies: The article was prepared based on research materials on the state-ordered research themes of the Institute of Geography RAS no. 0148-2019-0008 and the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences no. 0192-20190021. The research methodology was developed within the framework of the theme no. 0192-2019-0021; the calculations were performed within the framework of the theme no. 0148-2019-0008.
About the Author
R. V. Dmitriev
Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences; Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow.
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Review
For citations:
Dmitriev R.V. The Evolution of Settlement Systems in Classic Central Place Theory. Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk. Seriya Geograficheskaya. 2021;85(2):165-175. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31857/S2587556621020047
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