It has been empirically demonstrated that selfs Efficiency grows with size in modern high-energy societies. For communities of 10,000 people there is little hope of achieving self-sufficiency as measured by lack or absence of trade. There have been studies of sociology, economics, and geography which indicate the degree to which various specialities can be sustained. Colin Clark, one of the world's distinguished students of economic organizations, reports (ref. 45) that cities need populations of 100,000 to 200,000 in order to provide "an adequate range of commercial services....". Moreover, populations of 200,000 to 500,000 are required to support broadly-based manufacturing activity.
ref 45 says Baum, Paul: Issues in Optimal City Size, Los Angeles, University of California, 1971.
there's a lot about town planning in this space colony stuff, and it assumes ongoing trade
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branchandroot
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Date: 2017-10-13 07:39 pm (UTC)Trade is Essential
It has been empirically demonstrated that selfs Efficiency grows with size in modern high-energy societies. For communities of 10,000 people there is little hope of achieving self-sufficiency as measured by lack or absence of trade. There have been studies of sociology, economics, and geography which indicate the degree to which various specialities can be sustained. Colin Clark, one of the world's distinguished students of economic organizations, reports (ref. 45) that cities need populations of 100,000 to 200,000 in order to provide "an adequate range of commercial services....". Moreover, populations of 200,000 to 500,000 are required to support broadly-based manufacturing activity.
ref 45 says
Baum, Paul: Issues in Optimal City Size, Los Angeles, University of California, 1971.
there's a lot about town planning in this space colony stuff, and it assumes ongoing trade