Review of Urban Models in AP Human Geography

Overview of Urban Models in AP Human Geography

• Understanding urban models is crucial for analyzing city layouts and development patterns.
• Before delving into the urban models, it is essential to understand the Bid Rent Theory:
  • Bid Rent Theory states that land prices decrease as you move away from the Central Business District (CBD).
  • Closer to the CBD, land is more expensive, leading to:
  • Taller buildings (skyscrapers) stacking vertically due to space constraints.
  • High population density.
  • Farther from the CBD, land becomes cheaper:
  • Residential areas with larger lots (single-family homes) and green spaces appear.
  • Industries locate outside the CBD for cheaper land while remaining accessible to the CBD.

1. Burgess Concentric Zone Model

• Developed in the 1920s based on Chicago.
• Zones in order from the center:
  • CBD: Commercial hub with businesses and services.
  • Zone of Transition: Old homes and light industry; often populated by lower-income residents.
  • Working-Class Homes: Older homes occupied by those working in the CBD.
  • Better Residences Zone: Newer, more spacious homes.
  • Commuter Zone: Suburban areas where residents commute into the city.
• Updates: The model is being challenged by globalization, urban renewal, and gentrification, affecting where people live and work.

2. Hoyt Sector Model

• Focuses on transportation routes and economic sectors:
  • CBD is still the center point.
  • Development occurs in wedges or sectors radiating out from the CBD.
  • Industries locate near transport (highways/railroads) for quick access.
• Changes: The model is becoming outdated due to:
  • Rise of edge cities and suburban living, which reduce the CBD's importance.
  • Improved personal transportation allowing for commuting.

3. Harris and Ullman Multiple Nuclei Model

• Developed in 1945; portrays cities with multiple nodes (CBDs).
• Different activities and services cluster around specific nodes.
  • For instance, industrial jobs attract workers nearby, while corporate offices appeal to another demographic.

4. Galactic City Model (Peripheral Model)

• Created in the 1960s focused on post-industrial cities.
• Recognizes the shift to a service-based economy and suburban living:
  • Features edge cities that evolve along beltways.
  • Areas of residential neighborhoods connected by highways, enhancing accessibility.
• Atlanta is a real-world example of this model:
  • High population density in the CBD with suburban areas and industrial zones surrounding it.

5. Latin American City Model

• Merges aspects of the concentric and sector models:
  • Central plaza as the historic and cultural center, surrounded by government and religious buildings.
  • Wealthier residential areas radiate from the CBD (the spine) with commercial activity.
• Zones include:
  • Zone of Maturity: Older homes and gentrified neighborhoods.
  • Disamenity Zone: Areas of extreme poverty often lacking essential services, including informal settlements.

6. Sub-Saharan African City Model

• Features a clear colonial influence:
  • Three distinct CBDs:
  • Colonial CBD: Historic core with narrow streets and colonial architecture.
  • Traditional CBD: Diverse economic activities, lower buildings.
  • Informal CBD: Markets and informal economic activities.
• Surrounding neighborhoods reflect historical segregation and economic disparities.

7. Southeast Asian City Model

• Lacks a traditional CBD; instead, focuses around ports due to geographical factors.
• Reflects the legacy of colonial trade:
  • Alien commercial zones stem from the port into the city, fostering trade.
  • Many residential areas interspersed regardless of socioeconomic status, unlike in Western contexts.
  • Features informal settlements near more affluent suburban areas.

Conclusion

• Each model highlights the unique urban development influenced by historical, economic, and geographical factors.
• Understanding these models is critical for analyzing global urban patterns and trends.