Megalopolis' term was given by :

Question

Accepted Answer

The term "Megalopolis" was given by Jean Gottman, making Option 2 the correct answer. Jean Gottman was a French geographer who is best known for his pioneering work on the concept of the megalopolis, which he introduced in his seminal book "Megalopolis: The Urbanized Northeastern Seaboard of the United States," published in 1961. In this work, Gottman described the densely populated and interconnected urban region stretching from Boston to Washington, D.C., highlighting the economic, social, and infrastructural ties that bind these cities into a single, sprawling urban area. His concept of the megalopolis has since been influential in urban studies and planning, as it captures the complexity and scale of modern urbanization.

Now, let's examine why the other options are incorrect:

1. **Grifith Taylor**: Grifith Taylor was an Australian geographer known for his work in environmental determinism and his studies on human geography. While he made significant contributions to geography, he did not coin the term "Megalopolis." His work focused more on the relationship between human societies and their environments rather than the specific concept of large urban regions.

3. **Von Thunen**: Johann Heinrich von Thünen was a German economist and geographer known for his model of agricultural land use, known as the "Thünen Model." This model explains the distribution of agricultural activities around a central market city based on transportation costs and land value. Von Thünen's work is unrelated to the concept of a megalopolis, as it focuses on rural land use rather than urbanization.

4. **Lewis Mumford**: Lewis Mumford was an American historian, sociologist, philosopher, and literary critic who wrote extensively on cities and urban planning. While Mumford's work on urban development and the history of cities is highly regarded, he did not originate the term "Megalopolis." His focus was more on the cultural and historical aspects of urban life rather than the specific geographic and economic connections that define a megalopolis.

In conclusion, Jean Gottman is the correct answer because he specifically introduced and developed the concept of the megalopolis, which has become a fundamental idea in understanding modern urbanization. The other options, while associated with significant contributions to geography and urban studies, did not coin or develop this particular term.