Applying Central Place Theory to the Distribution of City-Country Hierarchies in the Yilan Region

• Main Authors: Lanifang, 藍儀芳
• Other Authors: 林元興
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/68557331756013901017

碩士 === 中國文化大學 === 建築及都市計劃研究所碩士在職專班 === 95 === The city-countryside hierarchy describes the hierarchy of inter-dependence that appears between city centers, town centers and village centers after the development of social economic activities. This is because they all have distinct differences in terms of size, function and facilities. The more effective the services of a central city are, the greater its influence is on its surrounding hinterlands. The resultant distribution of space and specializations between cities, townships and villages then falls into a natural order. This city-countryside hierarchy has a major effect on the development of policies governing population distribution, industrial zoning, resource allocation and urban development. In the Yilan region (Lanyang Plain) the geography is amenable to the creation of a natural order in terms of the environment and humanities. This makes it suitable for a complete examination of the city-countryside hierarchy. In this study, the methodology involved the review of past literature, establishing of a theoretical framework and the collation of relevant data including land prices, population statistics and business establishments. Empirical analysis was carried out using multi-variable statistics and the results showed that the distribution of the city-countryside hierarchy in the Yilan region conformed to the Central Place System. This paper consists of 5 chapters and 17 sections as described below: Chapter 1 looks at the study’s background, motivations and objectives. The scope, content and constraints for the study was set out while the research framework for this study was established using the paper’s research methodology, methods and process. Chapter 2 provides a review of the past literature. In this study, the Central Place Theory was examined in detail as it was used as the theoretical and empirical basis. This included the definition, revision and extension of the Central Place Theory as well as the validation and application of Central Place Theory. This study pointed out that the basic purpose of cities is to provide services to its hinterlands. Since the trade and service industries can be divided into many different orders, each city can therefore be classified into different order depending on the order of the trade and service industries it provides. The differences in order places them at different levels in the hierarchy and this was used to explain the meaning of the city-countryside hierarchy. Chapter 3 establishes the research framework of the study. The research concept developed from an examination of the Central Place Theory was extended to look at the development and historical changes in the Central Place System of the Yilan region. By looking at urban system indicators, principles and applications, the indicators were collated to establish the structure of the city-countryside hierarchy in the Yilan region. Empirical proof for the city-countryside hierarchy in the Yilan region is provided in Chapter 4. Using the factor analysis and cluster analysis methods in the multiple variable statistical method, the study verified that the region north of the Yilan River has the Yilan City as its central city while the region south of the Yilan River has the Luodong Township as its central city. These central cities provided their surrounding townships with commercial services, forming Central Place Systems. These results were then used to examine the services and features of the Central Places in the Yilan region, the relationship between the Central Places as well as the factors that affected the distribution of the city-countryside hierarchy in the Yilan region. Chapter 5 consists of the conclusions and recommendations. The conclusions and recommendations proposed in this study will hopefully provide a useful reference for planning and investment purposes.