Hierarchy of Settlements in an Urban Network
This is a model of an urban network. It might apply to S.E.Australia, Southern Germany, Iowa-Rural USA, or Russia. The size, space and number of things changes relatively depending on the
age and density of settlement. China and Europe have been settled for a long time and are densely settled, populations are larger and trade areas smaller. Sparsely settled areas or developing
countries have very large cities, towns and rural hamlets. This model is based on Central Place Theory which proposed relationships between places based upon size, spacing, and functional
complexity. It works best in flat areas, with uniform resources, uniform transfort, and limited governemtn interference. This theory can be used (with great care) in computer modelling of trade
flows or connectivity. It is used in development planning, transport network analysis, business modelling and other forms of National network analysis. A multilinear analysis model with
carefully added constants and variables might use this as a starting point.
Type of settlement Population
Approximate
Number Trade
of places Area
Size of
Trade A.
Types of
Business
Number of
Businesses
High
Major
Regions
State &
Federal Gov’t
Offices
Wollongong,
Newcastle
Ballarat
High
LargeRural
Districts
Moderate
Some
Gov’t
Services
Albury, Wagga
Wangaratta
Townsville
100-200
many
multifunctions
Active
Small Rural
Districts
Few minor
Gov’t
Agencies
Cooma, Lithgow
Bega, Coffs H.
50 perhaps
multifunctions
Moderate
Low
Post Office
maybe 50 farms
1
1 million km2
National
Highly specialised products
Or services, with the best range
of shopping and daily items
City
60,000-100,000
3-6
100,000km2
Major regions
Few specialised Services
2000+
Total service centre for shopping
And daily items
Large Town
5,000-60,000
20 +
10,000km2
Rural regions
Most Goods and Services available maybe 1000
Most professional & Gov’t
may have
Services available
multifunctions
Town
1000 +
100’s
1000+km2
Village
300+
1000’s
100+km2
Hamlet
< 100 -300
10,000’s 30km2
Weekly needs few higher order
Services
Local area
Daily or weekly needs
Within a metropolitan area, one will find an urban hierarchy just like this.
Metropolis = Central Busness District,
Large Town –Muncipal Centres and Major Shopping centres
Village = shopping district 10 to 50 shops
Highly
Global and
complex.
National
sophisticated
Examples
Sydney, Melbourne
Beijing, Beirut
London
1 Million
6-10 hamlets
Connectivity Government
Activity
State Gov’t
National
Influence
Metrolopolis
Major local centre Most Goods available and some
Professional and gov’t services
Level of
Business
activity
10,000+ few
specialised but
many smaller
firms
about 10 but
May be in 1 store
High,
Basic
What is internet?
Stamps &
Post boxes
Jyndabyne,
Luara, Sofla
Bringyadogalong
BoganGate
City - Suburban Cities like Parramatta or Centres of metropolitan importance
Town = Large shopping centres,
Hamlet corner store
Here are some Business functions, At which level of the hierarchy might you find them
Queens Council __________________________
Post Office _______________________
Bank Loans _______________________
Member of Parliament _____________________
Airport __________________________
Steel Mill ________________________
Stock Broker ___________________________
Stock and Station Agent ______________ Cinema __________________________
Savings Bank ____________________________
Stock Exchange __________________________
Internet Café ____________________________