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suburban communities. Industries requiring a central location in a large urban area are
willing to pay high rents in order to obtain them. On the one hand industries serving the
immediate neighbourhood, such as bakeries and restaurants, and on the other hand industries
strongly dependent on external economies, for example clothing and printing, are at a loss if
they cannot obtain rapid and frequent access to suppliers ofthe great variety of components
and services which they use, according to historian Colin Clark [www.tierraproperties.com.
(2007)].
2.4.1.4 Integrative comments
From the discussion presented above, and possibly from a South African perspective oftowns
and cities, one should be able to identify the main shortcomings ofthe three classical models
already presented. Bearing in mind both the time at which the models were developed and
the associated levels oftechnology, suggest what the main shortcomings ofthe models would
be even for American cities. Individuals in most Western countries have become increasingly
mobile with the passage of time. More and more people in Western cities in general have
gained access to private means oftransport. The second point to bear in mind is the factor of
congestion In the central areas of most cities (Rix et al., 1987;
www.africanstudies.uct.ac.za/sdlvoI7nol.htm. 2008).
This research work recognises the impact that technology has introduced in this new world
order and also considers the differences in socio-economic landscape within which this model
was postulated. The study further admits the need to adapt any best practices from the
classical models to suit the local context ofthis research.
The increased mobility brought about by the increased ownership ofthe motor car has meant
that people are able to travel across cities as easily, if not more easily, than they once could
travel to the CBD. This fact, coupled with the congestion of the CBDs and the continuous
outward growth of many large cities, has encouraged business people to open businesses in
decentralised areas ofthe large towns and cities. Consequently, the models that show a single
focus for the commercial business activities ofthe city are somewhat out oftouch with reality.
This particular shortcoming can be remedied even within the framework of the existing
models.
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