Geo 4620
Business Geography Integrating Theory

- Professor Grant Ian Thrall -

Midterm Exam Study Questions

Fall Term, 2002, University of Florida Department of Geography

Study questions for the midterm exam. Bring one or two (at your option) large format blue books to the exam. Do not place your name on the blue book as I will collect them, mark on them, and redistribute them to the class - randomly. I will select a subset of the following to comprise the actual exam.

PART 1: ESSAY (bring one large format blue book to class. Do not mark the blue book in any way)

Question 1:

A. Spatial equilibrium:

Define and explain what is spatial equilibrium? In the geography literature early in the previous century, geographers considered movement of geographic phenomena within the context of centripetal versus centrifugal forces. How so, and what are they? How is spatial equilibrium related to the notion of the balance of Centripetal versus centrifugal forces? What is compensation? How does the concept of compensation relate to the geographer's notion of spatial equilibrium?

B: Open vs Closed, Direct vs Indirect:

i. Define and explain what is an open city? Define and explain what is a closed city? How do we normally define the new spatial equilibrium level of welfare in a closed city?

ii. What are direct effects? What are indirect effects?

Question 2:

Demonstrate, derive and prove the following: a) land values decline with increasing distance from a central node. b) population density declines with increasing distance from a central node. c) composite good consumption declines with increasing distance from a central node.

Question 3:

Part A:

What is von Thünen's general theory of land value? Answer this by stating his general hypothesis, explaining what each term means. Draw graphs of von Thünen's land gradient for a three-good world, and the resulting circular land uses.

Part B:

Explain and describe what happens if transportation cost decreases for the most intensive land use?

Part C:

Thrall refers to Von Thünen's general land rent theory as a production theory of land rent. Why is that? Why is von Thünen's results more appropriate for explaining agricultural land uses and land values, and limited in its ability to explain and describe urban land use and urban land values?

Question 4:

Part A:

List and explain each of the methods we use to define the boundary of the city?

Part B:

A radial constraint is imposed on a city at a radius less than the market would otherwise bring about. How will a radially constrained city affect household welfare, population density, composite good consumption and the general retail sector, and total population in an OPEN CITY? In a CLOSED CITY?

PART 2: Multiple Choice and True-False questions

click here to link to MC/TF study questions