Von_Thunen_Model_ Professional.pptx

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1. Von Thünen’s Model of Agricultural Land Use A Professional and Detailed Analysis

2. Introduction • Developed by Johann Heinrich von Thünen in 1826 • Explains spatial distribution of agriculture based on economic factors • Key contribution to economic geography

3. Historical Context • 19th-century Europe: agriculture was the backbone of the economy • Transport limitations influenced land-use decisions • Industrial revolution was shaping urban-rural interactions

4. Model Assumptions • Isolated state with a central market • Homogeneous soil, climate, and landscape • No government interventions or subsidies • Transportation cost directly related to distance

5. Concept of Economic Rent • Land value determined by productivity and location • More accessible lands generate higher returns • Profit maximization drives land use decisions

6. Von Thünen’s Concentric Zones • The model consists of **six rings** around a central market • Each ring specializes in a different type of agricultural production

7. Zone 1: Dairy & Market Gardening • High-value, perishable crops (vegetables, fruits, milk) • Requires proximity to the market to avoid spoilage • Intensive farming, highest land rent

8. Zone 2: Forest & Timber • Wood for fuel and construction • Transport costs are high due to bulkiness • Historically essential for heating and building materials

9. Zone 3: Extensive Field Crops • Wheat, corn, and other grains • Less perishable than vegetables and dairy • Transport cost manageable, but requires more land

10. Zone 4: Livestock Ranching • Large grazing areas needed • Livestock can be herded to market, reducing transport cost • Low land rent, extensive use

11. Beyond the Rings: Wilderness • Unused or marginal lands • Transportation costs exceed profitability • Often used for forestry or natural conservation

12. Impact of Transportation • Railroads, highways, and refrigeration changed land use patterns • Modern logistics reduce the importance of proximity • Faster transport means perishable goods can be grown further away

13. Criticism & Limitations • Assumes uniform terrain and climate • Ignores technological and infrastructure changes • Doesn't account for political or economic regulations

14. Modern Relevance • Urban agriculture and local food movements • Application in land-use planning and city zoning • Helps explain regional variations in farming

15. Comparison with Burgess Model • Similar concentric zoning approach • Von Thünen focused on agriculture, Burgess on urban land use • Both emphasize accessibility and economic factors

16. Von Thünen’s Model in Developing Countries • Still visible in rural agricultural economies • Transportation costs remain a significant factor • Example: Land-use patterns in parts of Africa and South America

17. Case Study: India • Land-use variations around major metro cities (Delhi, Mumbai) • Impact of highway networks on agriculture • Changing rural economy due to modernization

18. Environmental and Sustainability Implications • Deforestation due to agricultural expansion • Sustainable farming practices to balance economic and environmental needs • Climate change impacts on land-use decisions

19. Future Perspectives • How technology is reshaping agricultural land use • AI, satellite mapping, and precision farming • Urban vertical farming as an alternative

20. Conclusion • Foundational theory in agricultural geography • Remains relevant with modifications • Basis for land-use planning and rural development policies

21. References • Von Thünen, J.H. (1826). *The Isolated State* • Modern research papers on agricultural land use • Economic and geographic studies