Central place theory and evolution phenomenon

Abstract

The evolution of the urban systems goes through different stages. The first is the formation of the whole system where the conformity to the rank-size rule is improving. The second is the transition from the quasi-amorphous state to the quasi-crystalline state where the conformity to the rank-size rule is getting worse, but the conformity to the central place theory is improving. The relativistic central place theory makes the spacing of the central places and their size interdependent. The attractor of the evolution of the central places systems is the state of isostatic equilibrium – the complete compensation of the deviation from the theory predictions by the spacing of the central places. The size of the central places is determined in another way than in the classical theory. The type of Christaller’s hierarchy – the K – is depending on the degree of the urbanisation and changes during the evolution of the central systems. So that the virtual hierarchies K=5 and K=6 which are not conforming to any optimization principle do exist. When the urban population is below 50% K=3, if it is between 50% and 60% - K=4, for 70 – 80% K=5, if it is about 90% - K=6 and the extreme quantity of the urban population – 100% corresponds to K=7. The evolution of the central places systems is closely related to the transition of urban systems from one Gibbs stage of urbanisation to another and with the evolution of transport networks. Many national and regional urban systems were studied in order to test these statements and the results were satisfactory.