Explain the concept of urban hierarchy.

Urban hierarchy is a system that ranks cities based on their size and functional complexity.

In more detail, the concept of urban hierarchy is a fundamental principle in human geography that helps us understand the distribution and function of cities across a region or country. It's a system that categorises cities and towns based on their population size, economic activity, and the range and complexity of services they offer.

At the top of the hierarchy are typically large, globally influential cities, often referred to as 'world cities' or 'global cities'. These cities, such as London, New York, or Tokyo, are characterised by their large populations, diverse economies, and wide range of services. They are centres of political power, economic activity, and cultural influence, with extensive international connections.

Below these are regional or national capitals, which serve as the administrative, economic, and cultural hubs for their respective regions or countries. These cities may not have the same global influence as world cities, but they play a crucial role in their national economies and often have significant regional influence.

Further down the hierarchy are smaller cities and towns, which tend to serve more localised populations and have fewer services and less economic diversity. These might include provincial or county towns, suburban towns, and small rural settlements.

The concept of urban hierarchy is not fixed and can change over time due to factors such as economic development, population growth, or changes in transportation and communication technologies. For example, the rise of the internet and digital technologies has allowed some smaller cities and towns to climb the urban hierarchy by becoming centres of tech industry or digital services.

Understanding urban hierarchy is important for urban planning and policy-making, as it can help identify where resources and services are needed most, and how different cities and towns are connected to each other within the wider regional, national, or global economy.