Application of the Christaller model for the spatial distribution of supermarkets | [Aplicación del modelo de Christaller para la distribución espacial de supermercados]

Abstract

The distribution in a territory of centers of economic activity, such as supermarkets, obey an area of influence that covers a defined population. This distribution can be explained by geographic spatial models that analyze their location and interrelations between economic cores. One of these models is the Central Place Theory (CPT), proposed by Christaller in 1933. In Ecuador, the main company of service and commercialization of products of first necessity is Corporación Favorita, which has Supermaxi and Megamaxi supermarkets located in several cities of the country. Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, for their extension and importance for the economy of the country were chosen for the study. Using a GIS, the CPT was applied with different coverage centers (range 1, 2, 3, and 4), and the model was adjusted to the location of the supermarkets. In Cuenca and Guayaquil, the model correctly explained the spatial distribution of the supermarkets, while in Quito the model demonstrated to a large extent the spatialization in the north, south of the city, however, in the northern center and in the valleys of the city did not represent the spatial dynamics. The economic geography, through the CPT explained the spatial distribution of supermarkets, and presents a technical tool in the decision making for businessmen and the territorial ordering of a city.

Keywords

• spatial models
• Central Place Theory
• spatial dynamics
• territorial ordering
• economic geography