Dominance and dependence between world cities and other urban centres
Writing for Global and World Cities (GsWC) Beverstock et. al. ranks cities according to their global connections and functions. Alpha ++ cities are those that command other global cities. The scale extends down to gamma and sufficiency cities which either have very small regional hinterland or are sufficiently well serviced to not warrant global connections.
Another way of looking at cities was proposed by Mark Jefferson in 1939. Jefferson categorised cities as either "Primate" or "Secondary" cities. The Primate city has a dominant role within the national economy, while secondary cities follow a primate city on most services.
Another way of looking at cities was proposed by Mark Jefferson in 1939. Jefferson categorised cities as either "Primate" or "Secondary" cities. The Primate city has a dominant role within the national economy, while secondary cities follow a primate city on most services.
The changing role of the regional centre
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Secondary cities are starting to absorb significant numbers of people in the developing countries of the world. Over the next century, China's secondary cities are likely to become far more globally connected.
However, In the developed world regional cities are becoming larger but also fewer. In NSW, cities like Wagga Wagga, Dubbo and Tamworth have become larger and fulfill more services than they have perviously. Although, this is effect is coming at the expense on small towns. |
The demise of the small town
As communications and transport infrastructure improve, people are able to travel greater distances and are required to do so less often.
Furthermore, the financial return from primary agricultural industries has declined and younger people are also less inclined to want to live in rural areas.
Together these forces have produced "rural flight" or people leaving rural areas to gain a larger urban lifestyle. In the USA, EU and Australia this has lead to the decline of the small town. The loss of people tends have a "snow balling" effect resulting in the loss of postal, medical, banking and shopping facilities which generate further dissatisfaction with rural lifestyle. The loss of property value results in blight if town cannot be maintained.
In Western Europe, this has been used opportunistically by expatriates who purchase relatively inexpensive land in rural France and Spain for holiday or retirement homes. However, Australia and USA have much greater distances which make this untenable.
Furthermore, the financial return from primary agricultural industries has declined and younger people are also less inclined to want to live in rural areas.
Together these forces have produced "rural flight" or people leaving rural areas to gain a larger urban lifestyle. In the USA, EU and Australia this has lead to the decline of the small town. The loss of people tends have a "snow balling" effect resulting in the loss of postal, medical, banking and shopping facilities which generate further dissatisfaction with rural lifestyle. The loss of property value results in blight if town cannot be maintained.
In Western Europe, this has been used opportunistically by expatriates who purchase relatively inexpensive land in rural France and Spain for holiday or retirement homes. However, Australia and USA have much greater distances which make this untenable.
Kleeman (2009) has written about the demise of small NSW towns surrounding the regional centre of Dubbo. The experience of these NSW towns has been very similar to the USA experience of rural flight.
Further Reading
Trabatonni, A. et. al. (2016) Who will breath life into Europes villages, the conversation.http://bit.ly/2eqqWaU
Smallcombe, A. and Rhode, T. (2018) Small town 'Village model' unlikely to survive into the future. ABC News.
Smallcombe, A. and Rhode, T. (2018) Small town 'Village model' unlikely to survive into the future. ABC News.