Breakpoint Theory

Breakpoint theory is a theoretical model examining the regional boundary point (i.e. the breakpoint) of the interaction between two cities, which is developed by P.D. Converse on W.J. Reilly's ‘Law of Retail Gravity’ in 1949. It argues that one city’s attractiveness to the surrounding area is proportional to its size and inversely proportional to the square of the distance to the city. This theory can be applied to examine the influence ability of big cities on the surrounding areas, and the prediction of the future development trend can be identified by calculating quantitative indexes such as location and distance.

Edited and translated by Zhang Yifei