Rank-Size Rule Distribution

Definition

The Rank-Size Rule Distribution is a principle in urban geography that describes how the sizes of cities within a country or region are distributed in relation to each other. According to this rule, the population of a city will be inversely proportional to its rank in the hierarchy of cities, meaning the second-largest city will have half the population of the largest city, the third-largest city will have a third of the population, and so on. This distribution pattern suggests a level of economic development and urbanization within a society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Rank-Size Rule was popularized by geographer Georg Zipf, who noted this pattern in various countries and regions.
2. A perfectly rank-size distribution would follow the mathematical relationship where the population of the nth largest city is equal to the population of the largest city divided by n.
3. Cities that do not follow the rank-size rule often display a primate city pattern, where one large city dominates in size and influence over smaller cities.
4. The Rank-Size Rule can indicate levels of economic development; countries with a more uniform city size distribution are often more economically developed than those with a primate city.
5. Understanding the Rank-Size Rule can help urban planners and policymakers make decisions about infrastructure, resource allocation, and regional development.

Review Questions

• How does the Rank-Size Rule Distribution reflect the economic development of a region?
  • The Rank-Size Rule Distribution can provide insights into a region's economic development by showcasing how evenly or unevenly populations are distributed among cities. A country that adheres closely to this rule typically has multiple cities that share economic power, suggesting a balanced development across urban areas. In contrast, a region with one dominant city indicates uneven economic growth, with potential challenges such as overpopulation and resource strain in that singular location.
• Evaluate the implications of having a primate city compared to a rank-size distribution in terms of urban planning.
  • Having a primate city means that one city significantly outweighs others in size and resources, which can lead to challenges such as traffic congestion, housing shortages, and infrastructure strain. Urban planning must prioritize addressing these issues while also ensuring that smaller cities develop sustainably. In contrast, a rank-size distribution allows for better resource allocation across multiple urban areas, leading to more equitable access to services and infrastructure development, which can promote overall regional stability and growth.
• Assess how historical migration patterns might influence adherence to the Rank-Size Rule Distribution in different countries.
  • Historical migration patterns significantly affect whether a country follows the Rank-Size Rule Distribution. Regions that have experienced significant rural-to-urban migration tend to develop multiple cities with varying sizes as people seek economic opportunities. Conversely, countries with historical events such as colonialism or industrialization that led to centralized urban growth may develop a primate city model instead. These patterns reveal how social dynamics and migration histories shape urban landscapes and impact economic development strategies.

Related terms

Central Place Theory:

A geographical theory that explains the size and distribution of human settlements based on their role in providing goods and services to surrounding areas.

Urbanization:

The process by which an increasing percentage of a population comes to live in urban areas, often driven by economic opportunities.

Hierarchical Settlement Patterns: Patterns of settlement that are organized in a hierarchy, with larger settlements serving as central places for smaller surrounding settlements.