AP Human Geography: Unit 5 - African and South American City Models

Introduction to City Models

• Transition from North American city models to those from peripheral and semi-peripheral countries.

• Focus on three specific city models:

  • Latin American city model (Griffin-Ford model)

  • African city model

  • Southeast Asian city model

• Differences in land use between core countries (e.g., US, Canada) vs. peripheral countries.

Squatter Settlements

• Definition of a squatter:

  • Individuals living on land illegally, without ownership or legal rights.

• Characteristics of squatter settlements:

  • Also known as shanty towns, slums, barrios (Spanish term), or favelas (Brazil).

  • Located on government-owned, often undesirable land (e.g., swampy, unstable).

  • Development due to rural-to-urban migration outpacing city infrastructure.

  • Residents often lack financial resources, resulting in improvised housing made from found materials.

  • Unsafe living conditions with no adherence to building codes.

  • Absence of basic services: no electricity, water, sewage, or garbage collection.

• Example: In Rio de Janeiro, about 3 million people live in shanty towns out of a total population of 14 million.

Latin American City Model

• Central feature: Central Business District (CBD)

  • CBD divided into:

    • Traditional CBD: tall buildings for big businesses and international firms.

    • Market zone: local shopping area catering to residents.

• Commercial Spine and Mall:

  • Commercial spine connects cultural and entertainment venues, high-end shopping, and open spaces.

  • Includes historical buildings and significant cultural sites (e.g., churches, government buildings).

• Elite Residential Sector:

  • Housing for wealthier residents, characterized by spacious, upscale homes surrounding the commercial area.

  • Often a large gap between rich and poor populations.

• Zone of Maturity:

  • Focused on older residential buildings maintained by the middle class.

• Gentrification:

  • Restructuring older neighborhoods into modern, higher-income areas.

• In Situ Accretion:

  • Local low-income residential areas still receiving city services (e.g., water, electricity).

• Zone of Peripheral Squatter Settlements:

  • Areas lacking basic amenities and services where migrants settle due to insufficient housing in the city.

• Disamenity Sector:

  • Those living in open, unsafe conditions along infrastructure routes (e.g., roads, rivers). No services are provided, contrasting with amenities in residential zones.

African City Model

• Divided CBD into three sections:

  • Traditional CBD: features higher international businesses but smaller and less developed than other major cities.

  • Colonial CBD: built under colonialism, showcasing European architectural styles; it contains government buildings and high-income housing.

  • Market Zone: intended for local shopping, often featuring open-air markets and periodic market days.

• Mining and Industrial Zone:

  • Located on the outskirts, drawing regional migrant workers seeking employment.

• Mixed Neighborhoods:

  • Lower to middle-income residents often live together based on ethnic backgrounds without strict class segregation.