Formulate Theoretical Model to Measure the Centrality of Cities (Case Study: Cities of Erbil Governorate / Iraq)
Nashwan Shukri Abdullah

Abstract
The cities functionality in the human and economic fields, within functional region of cities, is largely depended on the level of geographical centrality of cities in this region. The study aims to formulate a theoretical model, measures the degree of centrality of cities within the boundary of its functional region, depending on the size and location of settlements and the transport network, within a spatial framework that shows the centrality of cities. The core of the factors that inserted in the model was formulated according to a set of assumptions, using a group of spatial statistical criteria, which spatially determine the direction and distribution of geographical elements within the GIS environment. According to the theoretical model, the values of centrality index (CI) have been classified into five categories, show the levels of centrality of cities, the model was applied on the cities of Erbil governorate.

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