3 Systems of cities

This module covers only one topic, and has only one reading.

The topic is Central Place Theory (CPT). CPT focuses on the interaction of two concepts: function and geographic spacing. It was originally developed as a theory to help explain the geography of settlements across the German countryside. Its most common use today is likely in retail geography, guiding decisions in site selection.

We’re going to be reading the chapter Nested Hexagons: Central Place Theory. To give you an idea of the impact of CPT, the chapter appears in a book titled Ten Geographic Ideas that Changed the World.