Locationstowns

Locationstowns are settlements whose development and daily life are shaped primarily by their geographical location relative to transport networks, regional centers, and natural features. They are used as a typology in urban geography and regional planning to examine how place and accessibility influence economic structure and land use. The term emphasizes that location can be the dominant determinant of a town's growth path, more so than intrinsic characteristics alone. They are not a fixed category; a locationstown can change status as networks evolve.

The concept builds on location theory and gateway town ideas and is used to analyze towns along corridors, at crossings, or at gateways to tourist regions. It helps planners evaluate how accessibility, market reach, and supply chains shape settlement patterns.

Locationstowns typically exhibit high accessibility and robust throughput. Their economies often hinge on services for travelers, such as hospitality, food services, retail, and logistics. Populations may be seasonal or commuter-based, with fluctuations tied to traffic and tourism. The built environment prioritizes quick access, parking, and rapid turnover. They remain vulnerable to congestion, price pressures, and dependence on larger neighbors.

They can be corridor towns along highways or rail lines, border towns at crossings, gateway towns at regional entries, resource-based towns near extraction sites, or remote hubs serving hinterlands. These categories share the central role of location in driving function but differ in the primary economic anchor.

Researchers measure distance, travel time, accessibility indices, employment linkages, and tourism indicators to classify locationstowns and compare them. In policy and planning, the concept informs infrastructure investment, zoning, and regional development strategies.