CENTRAL PLACE THEORY: AN EVALUATION

Abstract

By way of a background to this commentary, the recent history of central place theory is briefly reviewed. Drawing on the work of Christaller and Losch, attention is initially focused on the particular characteristics of central place goods and on the spatial distribution of their supply. With the aid of export-base analysis, a distinction is made between central places and specialized function centers, leading to the contention that in contemporary urban systems the central place structure represents one component of a more extensive urban system. Further perspectives on central place theory are revealed by examining some of its deficiencies. In this connection, a distinction is made between limitations inherent to the theory and areas where the theory is deemed to be incomplete or otherwise inadequate. While central place theory is in need of elaboration and extension, it continues to represent a valuable framework within location theory and urban and regional analysis.