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