A ranking of settlements by size and economic functions

A ranking of settlements by size and economic functions

• A. Urban hierarchy
• B. World city
• C. African City Model
• D. Boomburbs

Answer: (A)

Understanding urban hierarchy means recognizing how settlements are arranged in a ladder from small to large based on both their population size and the range of services they provide. In this view, smaller places offer basic functions, while larger cities bring more specialized economic activities, institutions, and amenities, attracting people from wider areas. Ranking settlements by size and economic functions is exactly the process of placing places along that hierarchy, showing how influence and services scale with city size. The other options describe specific types or concepts (a globally influential city, a particular African urban pattern, or a kind of rapidly growing suburb) but don’t capture the overarching ordered system of settlements by size and functions.

Understanding urban hierarchy means recognizing how settlements are arranged in a ladder from small to large based on both their population size and the range of services they provide. In this view, smaller places offer basic functions, while larger cities bring more specialized economic activities, institutions, and amenities, attracting people from wider areas. Ranking settlements by size and economic functions is exactly the process of placing places along that hierarchy, showing how influence and services scale with city size. The other options describe specific types or concepts (a globally influential city, a particular African urban pattern, or a kind of rapidly growing suburb) but don’t capture the overarching ordered system of settlements by size and functions.