Weaknesses and Criticism Show
The model was developed in an isolated state and did not take into consideration differences in sites (local physical conditions). It can be modified by relaxing some of the conditions set forth by Von Thunen:
However, the model tends to hold true in most instances. The theory may break down somewhat in industrial and post-industrial economies as urban expansion/sprawl occur. For example, modern refrigerators enable perishable products to be transported longer distances Like many other models in geography, von Thünen's model was criticized frequently due to its restrictive nature. The basic conditions of the model, however, could be approximated by slight modifications of the respective reality. The circular pattern, which can be attributed to only one market and excluding transport costs gradients running from the centre, is for example only one of many conceivable geometrical starting situations. If other natural landscapes or transportation routes are present, the land use zones would be stripe-formed. If several markets were present, groups of zones would be formed around each market. A justified objection against it is the reference to the absence of any productive profit. In von Thünen's theory different agricultural uses compete for the optimal location, which results from the product-specific supply/expenditure relation. The competitive power becomes indirectly measurable over locational rent. After deducting production costs and location-specific transport costs, however, nothing more remains of the market profits. The von Thuenen model leads to the idea of complete self-sufficiency among farmers. Thünen's idea of "economic rent" attempted - while ignoring other characteristics - to explain the use of zones controlled solely by economically rational perception. Possible consumers play, finally, the crucial role for the choice of location. At the same time evaluation of all potential locations is released, which leads to a zoning of the possible offers. This simply developed space restaurant model reacts however sensitively to changes of the space overcoming costs. It possesses however due to its universality nevertheless a high value within geographical questions and methodology.
Miriam Guterland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated on December 04, 2019 The Von Thunen model of agricultural land use (also called location theory) was created by the German farmer, landowner, and amateur economist Johann Heinrich Von Thunen (1783–1850). He presented it in 1826 in a book called "The Isolated State," but it wasn't translated into English until 1966. Von Thunen created his model before industrialization and in it, he laid the foundation for what we know as the field of human geography. He strove to identify trends of people's economic relationship with the landscape surrounding them. What Is the Von Thunen Model?The Von Thunen model is a theory which, after Von Thunen's own observations and very meticulous mathematical calculations, predicts human behavior in terms of landscape and economy. Like any other scientific experiment or theory, it is based on a series of assumptions, that Von Thunen sums up in his concept of an "Isolated State." Von Thunen was interested in ways people tend to use and would use the land around a city if the conditions were laboratory-like, as in his Isolated State. His premise is that if people have the freedom to organize the landscape around their cities as they wish, they will naturally set up their economy—growing and selling crops, livestock, timber, and produce— into what Von Thunen identified as "Four Rings." Isolated StateThe following are the conditions Von Thunen noted as the basis for his model. These are laboratory-style conditions and don't necessarily exist in the real world. But they are a workable basis for his agricultural theory, which seemed to reflect how people actually organized their world and how some modern agricultural regions are still laid out.
The Four RingsIn an Isolated State with the foregoing statements being true, Von Thunen hypothesized that a pattern of rings around the city would develop based on land cost and transportation cost.
Beyond the fourth ring lies the unoccupied wilderness, which is too great a distance from the central city for any type of agricultural product because the amount earned for the product doesn't justify the expenses of producing it after transportation to the city is factored in. What the Model Can Tell UsEven though the Von Thunen model was created in a time before factories, highways, and even railroads, it is still an important model in geography. It is an excellent illustration of the balance between land cost and transportation costs. As one gets closer to a city, the price of land increases. The farmers of the Isolated State balance the cost of transportation, land, and profit and produce the most cost-effective product for the market. Of course, in the real world, things don't happen as they would in a model, but Von Thunen's model gives us a good base to work from. What are the strengths of the Von thunen model?Strengths: It was a very good starting point for explaining its function of explaining proximity to consumer markets for commercial farms. It has been compared to actual structures and it fit well.
What are the limitations of the Von thunen model?Von Thünen made some limiting assumptions to accomplish this experiment. First, he stated that the soil and the climate would be uniform throughout the region. Second, there would be no river-valleys or mountains to interrupt a flat land area.
Why is von thunen's model still relevant?Even though the Von Thunen model was created in a time before factories, highways, and even railroads, it is still an important model in geography. It is an excellent illustration of the balance between land cost and transportation costs. As one gets closer to a city, the price of land increases.
What are the 6 assumptions of the Von thunen model?Contains six assumptions
There is only one market available, self-sufficient with no outside influence. All farmers are market oriented, producing goods for sale. (Not subsistence.) The physical environment is uniform; there are no rivers or mountains.
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