THE GEOGRAPHY OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMS


Function Main Mode Nexus
Trade City Water transport (maritime and fluvial). Waterfront (Heavy industries, Intermodal terminals).
Industrial City Railway Central stations. Rail terminals and railyards.
Mobile City Highway. Transit. Shopping districts. Distribution clusters.
Network City Telecommunication Financial / management districts. High technology clusters.

Cities and Connectivity

A city performs different but interdependent functions related to its connectivity:

  • A trade city is linked with long distance maritime transportation with the waterfront being the main nexus.
  • An industrial city tends to have a high rail connectivity, which is reinforced by maritime connectivity.
  • A mobile city mainly insure the mobility of its residents and provides for its consumption needs.
  • A network city provides for the mobility of information essential to its financial and management activities.