Central Place System in Osaka Metropolitan Area
Within the Limit of Retail and Service Functions
1976 Volume 28 Issue 2 Pages 115-140
Details
1976 Volume 28 Issue 2 Pages 115-140
It is one of results in urban geography that the hierarchy of region in the urban area is demonstrated by applying the concept of central place theory proposed by Christaller and others. The aim of this paper is to examine the central place system in Osaka metropolitan area within the limit of retail and service functions.
Firstly, eleven types of business are selected as central place functions and the distribution of them are mapped. And then, comparing this map with the land-value map and the distribution of shopping streets, 75 centers are picked up. These centers are divided into five hierarchies from the accumlation of these functions in each centers. Besides, these centers are classified into functional types and morphological types, that are corresponding to the hierarchy of centers.
Secondly, the relation of this hierarchy of centers and the sphere of each centers is examined. As the result of this examination, it is found that the hierarchy of centers is corresponding to the hierachy of region constracted from three hierarchy i.e. the range of shopping goods (high level), shopping goods (low level), and convenient goods.
Some characteristics are found in Osaka metropolitan area concerning with the central place system. Firstly, these are two centers in first rank, Namba-Shinsaibashi and Umeda, with balanced hinterland dividing the metropolitan area. They are connected with each other by Semba CBD and make the City Core of Osaka City. Secondaly, there are many traditional shopping centers in third rank. These centers are strongly influenced by urbanization that is characterized in suburban growth in population and retail and service functions.
From the investigation of this trend along Keihan electric railroad, traditional shopping centers, Sembayashi and so on are declining. Instead of these centers, centers of new type are growing, that are connected with terminal and characterized in strong amusement functions. This trend is strongly influenced by the change of comsumers' behaviour. However, the movement of each center is controlled by the distribution of other functions sorrounding the center, that are industrial, wholesale, residential, and others. Therefore, I think that the historical background of each city must be considered in comparison of central place system with each other.
