Modelling Transport as a Key Constraint to Urbanisation in Pre-industrial Societies

摘要: This chapter investigates the constraints for urban growth in pre-industrial societies and focuses on transport as an important component functioning of socio-ecological systems. It presents a simple formal model based sociometabolic relations to investigate relation between size centre, its resource needs resulting requirements. allows, very stylised way, light be shed some physical agrarian better understanding how shapes cities their resource-providing hinterland. The demonstrates that centres depends upon extension territory rural population work land generate supplies require. labour force engaged rises with centre corresponds 8–15% force. We find clear indications scale limit empires, centres, due factors associated cost (in terms human time land). Where this occurs strongly agricultural productivity.