ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an introduction to the microeconomic models that have attempted to describe and explain the different patterns of population and activities in urban and regional systems. It introduces the von Thunen agricultural location and land use model. The basic ideas contained in the model formulated by von Thunen can be adapted to the context of urban location. This line of research was followed by L. Wingo and W. Alonso to relate transport costs with the location of activities and urban land use. Both models have a lot of similarities, although Alonso's model has had the greater influence and has inspired later developments. The chapter addresses the inter-urban models of Christaller and Losch, which also have had a wide influence on the spatial modelling of market areas. It summarises the impact of the economic theories on the application of land use–transport interaction (LUTI) models to urban planning.
