Notes on City Internal Structures and Models

Module 48: The Internal Structure of Cities

  • Focus on the internal structure of cities and urban land-use patterns and processes.

The Burgess Concentric Zone Model

  • Developed by E. W. Burgess in 1924 based on Chicago.

  • Structure organized in five concentric rings:

    1. Central Business District (CBD): Core area with high land costs, housing businesses that can afford to pay.

    2. Zone of Transition: Residential housing in poor condition, awaiting redevelopment as the CBD expands.

    3. Zone of Independent Workers' Homes: Where working-class citizens reside, typically in older homes.

    4. Middle-Class Residences: Suburban areas where middle-class families live.

    5. Commuters' Zone: Outlying areas inhabited by those who commute to the city for work.

  • Critical Analysis:

    • Criticism regarding its applicability to modern cities, emphasizing changes in transportation and urban development.

The Hoyt Sector Model

  • Developed by Homer Hoyt in 1939.

  • Focus on Transportation: Considers transportation routes as key drivers of urban growth.

  • Structure:

    1. CBD (Zone 1): Central economic area.

    2. Manufacturing sector (Zone 2): Located near freight and major transport lines.

    3. Low-Income Housing (Zone 3): Situated between manufacturing zones and middle-income areas.

    4. Middle-Income Housing (Zone 4): Suburbs typically clustering around wealthier residential areas.

    5. High-Income Areas (Zone 5): Affluent neighborhoods situated farther out.

  • Growth Patterns: Both lower and higher-income groups tend to expand outward from the CBD over time.

Multiple-Nuclei Model

  • Developed by Chauncy Harris and Edward Ullman in 1945.

  • Description: Suggests urban areas contain multiple nodes (nuclei) of development rather than a single central business district.

  • Functionality: Each node serves different functions and has developed independently, influenced by automobile accessibility and urban sprawl trends.

Galactic City / Peripheral Model

  • Developed in the 1960s by Harris and others.

  • Characteristics: CBD surrounded by various suburban developments, including shopping areas, office parks, and industrial centers.

  • Significance of Highway Systems: Areas developing near highways allow for improved access to surrounding suburbs.

Griffin-Ford Latin American City Model

  • Developed by Ernst Griffin and Larry Ford.

  • Structure: Combination of concentric zones and radial sectors.

  • CBD Composition: Consists of a traditional market sector and a modern sector with businesses and entertainment.

  • Other Zones:

    • Commercial Spine: Main area of economic activity extending from CBD.

    • Elite Residential Areas: High-income neighborhoods are located adjacent to commercial areas.

    • Disamenity Sector: Characterized by poor services and supportive of the lowest income populations in barrios or favelas.

Southeast Asian City Model

  • Developed in 1967 by T. G. McGee.

  • Key Feature: Focal point often located at colonial port zones rather than traditional CBDs.

  • Mixed Land Use: Combines various economic activities with residential properties.

  • Structure: Governs the development radiating from the port, including mixed residential areas, elite zones, and substandard housing.

Sub-Saharan African City Model

  • Structure: Typically has three CBDs, each serving a different purpose (Colonial, Traditional, and Market zones).

  • Residential Zones: Characterized by ethnic neighborhoods with distinctive identities alongside industrial zones.

  • Outer Ring: Consists of rapidly growing shantytowns due to mass migration from rural areas.

Summary of Key Models

  1. Concentric Zone Model: Organized by districts radiating from the CBD, focused on socioeconomic status.

  2. Sector Model: Arranges city growth based on transportation sectors to accommodate diverse land uses.

  3. Multiple-Nuclei Model: Acknowledges independent zones of development and versatility in urban layouts.

  4. Galactic City Model: Highlights the integration of suburbs and peripheral developments with practical transport links.

  5. Griffin-Ford Model: Addresses the unique urban structure of Latin American cities with mixed-use environments.

  6. Southeast Asian City Model: Focuses on colonial zones as primary urban nuclei while integrating residential and commercial areas.

  7. Sub-Saharan African City Model: Illustrates socio-economic stratification within the urban sphere and rapid urban growth patterns.

  • Gentrification: Process where lower-income residents are displaced as neighborhoods improve and become attractive to higher-income groups.

  • Bid-Rent Theory: Higher land rent near urban centers is observed due to increased utility and accessibility for different socio-economic groups.