Author: Jean-Paul Rodrigue

Updated the page discussing to what extent international trade is a necessity or a convenience. It is both, depending on the type of goods. The page can be accessed here: The Rationale for Trade | The Geography of Transport Systems (transportgeography.org)

Added a new page discussing a categorization of how countries participate in global value chains. This classification is coming from the 2020 World Development Report. The core issue is the difference between backward participation having outputs created by previous stages in the value chain and forward participation producing goods used

Since it is the holiday season, it is worth noting that the capability of large retail stores to be supplied relies on cross-docking distribution centers. Orders coming from several suppliers or distribution centers can be sorted so that each individual store receives customized orders. For e-commerce, the cross-docking principle (sortation

Updated a page describing the main freight facilities, which come into five main categories. Each facility is a combination of the functions of fabrication, storage, and distribution. Types of Freight Facilities | The Geography of Transport Systems (transportgeography.org)

Updated a page discussing the main differences between conventional retail and e-commerce. Since e-commerce is distributional consumption, logistics plays a more important role than standard retail, which is accessibility-based consumption. Retail Logistics and E-commerce | The Geography of Transport Systems (transportgeography.org)

Updated a page presenting the three major types of clusters supporting manufacturing activities. The propensity to cluster has characterized manufacturing from artisan guild towns of the Middle Ages to contemporary logistics zones. Types of Manufacturing Clusters | The Geography of Transport Systems (transportgeography.org)

Updated a page discussing location factors and location theory. Three scales of locational analysis are considered: the socioeconomic environment (macro), accessibility (meso), and the site (micro). Basic Location Factors | The Geography of Transport Systems (transportgeography.org)

Added a new page showing global container port activity in 1970, which is pretty much the oldest year where statistics are available (1968 was the year that the TEU became a standard). At that time container shipping was strongly oriented around direct trade partners with the United States. The Dawn

Added a page providing a simple explanation of the main differences between the least cost to build and the least cost to use networks. Network Connectivity Options | The Geography of Transport Systems (transportgeography.org)

Updated the material discussing the foundations of the growth poles theory leaning on the principle of leading firms, supply chain linkages and economies of agglomeration. The concept is behind the agglomerative effects of many transport terminals, particularly ports. Growth Poles Theory | The Geography of Transport Systems (transportgeography.org)