The central places and the location of the service industries – effects of improved road network and mobility

The aim of the project has been to analyse the effects on the Norwegian central place system through 30 years of increased mobility and improved road network. The study is based on a comprehensive set of data on settlement, service industry, commodity trade, and transport network. There has been considerably growth in the service industry and commodity trade in the central places together with a transformation from local to regional markets. This has given changes in the central place hierarchy, especially between the smallest places. Good car accessibility and a high mobility have been a necessity and a self-standing driving force for this development.