VON THNEN AND URBAN SPRAWL

ABSTRACT In explaining agricultural patterns near urban areas, Von Thunen's theory is generally applicable where the primary force determining the pattern is transport cost to the market. When this is the case, the pattern of agricultural land use is one of decreasing intensity with distance from the city. Von Thunen's theory still applies in underdeveloped parts of the world, but his basic premise has been outdated in more developed areas. In many advanced industrialized parts of the world, the basic forces determining agricultural land use near urban areas are associated with urban expansion. Where these forces are in operation, the agricultural pattern quite often is one of increasing intensity with distance from the city, quite the reverse of the pattern generalized by Von Thunen's theory. A theory is developed to explain the agricultural pattern near such modern urban areas, and empirical evidence related to this theory is examined.