How does population growth effect settlment patterns?
Population growth will actually follow access points to the economic center of the metropolitan center. i.e. population grows along a major highway leading from town. The easier accessible suburban areas are the first to develop with subsequent development actually following in line with access corridoors. Many times new or larger thoroughfares will be required and thus the five lane from the two lane, limited access highways, through previously developed areas, etc. Eventually a basic ring of suburbs forms around the central city. If the city is large enough, there will be a secondary ring. Therefore the outerlying suburban areas will be for the most part more affluent, as those communities are newer and therefore more expnesive. Now once the commuting distance becomes excessive we will see a couple scenerios develop. First a secondary commercial center will develop outside the central city, which actually may compete for commercial development. Secondly, many areas, which now may be
