Patterns of consumer movements in west Thessaly
Part of : Επιθεώρηση κοινωνικών ερευνών ; Vol.38, 1980, pages 73-86
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73-86
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Articles
Abstract:
The structure of the settlement system of West Thessaly has beenshown to consist of a well-defined four-level hierarchy, with the mostimportant places being the two nomos seats of Trikala and Kardhitsa,and below them six smaller urban centres. This paper examines theextent to which the structure is reflected in the functioning of thesystem as revealed by patterns of consumer movements. Using informationcollected by circulating questionnaires in the region via thesecondary schools, the patterns of movement for thirteen goods andservices are described. Differences in the average distances travelledfor different goods and services were found, reflecting the differentialuse made of the four levels of the hierarchy by consumers. The provisionof goods down to relatively low levels of the settlement hierarchyin Greece means that intensive use is made of small urban settlementsfor the purchase of many consumer durables. Only for thehighest order functions do Trikala and Kardhitsa dominate withinthe region, and for these large centres outside West Thessaly(especially Larissa, Athens and Thessaloniki), exert an influence.After considering briefly the theoretical aspects of these findings, thepaper concludes with an assessment of their implications for town and regional planning.
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