Define City system as per Bourne. Explain nested hierarchies of Central places. State the Principles of Central Place Model.

City System as per Bourne:-

The concept of "City System" as proposed by E.H. Bourne refers to the hierarchical arrangement of cities within a region or country. According to Bourne, cities are not isolated entities but rather form a network of interdependent settlements. The city system is characterized by functional relationships, economic linkages, and the exchange of goods, services, and information among different urban centers. In this system, larger cities play central roles, providing higher-order goods and services to smaller cities and towns within their sphere of influence.

Nested Hierarchies of Central Places:-

The concept of "nested hierarchies" is closely related to the central place theory proposed by Walter Christaller. It refers to the organization of settlements in a hierarchical manner, with smaller settlements nested within larger ones. The central place theory suggests that cities are distributed in a systematic and orderly manner, forming a series of hexagonal patterns.

In this hierarchy, larger cities at the top of the pyramid provide more specialized and higher-order goods and services, while smaller cities and towns at the bottom of the pyramid offer basic goods and services to the local population. Smaller centers are dependent on larger centers for certain services, creating a pattern of functional interdependence.

The nested hierarchies of central places are based on the following key principles of the central place model:

Principles of the Central Place Model:-

1. Hexagonal Geometry: The central place model is based on hexagonal geometry, where each central place is surrounded by six smaller central places. This arrangement ensures the most efficient and equitable distribution of goods and services within a region.

2. Range and Threshold: The central place theory introduces the concepts of range and threshold. The range of a central place is the maximum distance that consumers are willing to travel to obtain a particular good or service. The threshold is the minimum number of consumers required to support the provision of a particular good or service. Larger central places have larger ranges and higher thresholds, offering more specialized goods and services.

3. Orderly Distribution: The central place theory suggests that cities are distributed in a systematic and orderly manner to avoid overlapping spheres of influence. This results in a hierarchical arrangement of settlements.

4. Competitive Interaction: The central place theory assumes that central places compete with each other for customers. Larger central places have a larger market area, which overlaps with the smaller market areas of surrounding central places. This competition ensures the efficient distribution of goods and services.

5. Spatial Equilibrium: The central place model assumes that central places seek to maximize their profits by providing goods and services to customers within their market area. As a result, settlements are distributed in a way that achieves spatial equilibrium, where the distribution of central places and the spacing between them are optimized.

The central place model has been influential in understanding the spatial organization of settlements and the functional interdependence of cities within a region. It provides valuable insights into the distribution of goods and services in an urban system, which is essential for urban planning and regional development.