AN APPROACH TO THE STUDY OF THE TOWN AS A CENTRAL PLACE.

This research study is concerned with the town within its limits as a separate unit, though not with the usual terms of reference, and it also offers some contribution towards the placing of one town in comparison to others as a "central place." Geographical studies of urban areas may be concerned with either of two major aspects. They may, in the first place, be concerned with the study of the town as a physical entity, describing the characteristics of its site and the structure of the urban settlement which has evolved. Secondly, studies may be concerned with the study of the town as a functional entity, analysing the position of the town as a unit in a wider regional setting. It may be said that any town or urban unit is not a homogeneous whole but is rather a close association of component parts. The main divisions which can be observed in the town structure are those between parts incorporating shopping and business, residential and industrial functions. In other parts of Europe and in the United States some attempts have been made to use available statistics to provide a more quantitative analysis and comparison.