Publication Date

8-1972

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

James Davis, C.E. Rickard, James Taylor

Degree Program

Department of Geography and Geology

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Hypothesis 1. Land values and distance from the central business district are inversely related.

This hypothesis proved to be true for the city of Bowling Green. Although there was no pronounced peak of land values as found in many of the larger cities, there was found in the central business district the highest land values in the city. This particular theory is applicable to Bowling Green and probably other cities of the same size.

Hypothesis 2. Land values and distance from the nearest shopping center are inversely related.

Because the first attempt at testing this relationship was considered invalid for numerous reasons, two independent tests were conducted with the sample points in specifically selected areas. The first of the independent tests failed to bring out the hypothesized relationship and the results also opposed generally accepted theory. The second test, dealing with a second shopping center and study area of its own, also failed to support the hypothesis. The results of this test differed from the first by failing to show any definite relationship regardless of whether or not it was in accordance with the theory stated in the hypothesis.

Hypothesis 3. Land values and distance from a major thoroughfare are inversely related.

The test conducted to determine what relationship existed between land values and distance from the 31W By- Pass, which serves as the major thoroughfare in Bowling Green, resulted in an inverse relationship. The values had declined rapidly with increasing distance, therefore creating a steep ridge of values along the By-Pass. Only those parcels that directly abut the By-Pass can commercially benefit the most from the high volume of traffic in the area. Even though the hypothesis was tested on only one thoroughfare, the theory holds true for Bowling Green and it is suspected that the inverse relationship found between the two variables is most pronounced in cities the size of Bowling Green. The reasons for this suspicion are that in a smaller city a thoroughfare usually develops as a shopping district rather than as a high-speed by-pass or beltline as found in larger cities.

Hypothesis 4. Land values and distance from a major public institution are inversely related.

The results of the test using Western Kentucky University as the major public institution indicated the existence of an inverse relationship, although somewhat weak. The problem encountered here was that there was no other major public institution other than the university with which to make a comparison. Although the hypothesis was accepted, there is a demonstrated need for further research on this particular hypothesis.

Disciplines

Economics | Geography | Human Geography | Public Economics | Regional Economics | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Download

Share

COinS