Urban Land Use Models

Urban Land Use Models

Essential Questions

  • How do geographers describe and analyze the structure and functions of cities?

    • Cities are centers of economic, political, and cultural power. They play a crucial role in human geography.

Urban Models

  • Urban land use models classify and categorize urban land uses, describe how they're segregated spatially, and provide explanations for their locations.

  • Functional Zonation: Portions of urban areas have specific purposes that fit together to create a city.

Central Business District (CBD)

  • The CBD is the commercial heart of a city, often at its physical center. It's characterized by high land value, limiting uses primarily to commerce.

  • Features of the CBD:

    • U.S. and Canada: Skyscrapers and underground facilities (parking, shopping).

    • Europe: Historic centers, lower buildings, concentrated services.

    • High-density housing in CBD due to expensive land.

Classic Urban Models (based on Chicago)

Concentric Zone Model (Burgess Model)

  • Describes cities as a series of rings.

    • Zone 1: CBD

    • Zone 2: Transition zone (industrial mixed with poorer housing)

    • Zone 3: Working-class housing

    • Zone 4: Higher-quality housing

    • Zone 5: Suburban rings

Sector Model (Hoyt Model)

  • Different land uses and housing types grow in wedges or sectors radiating from the CBD.

    • Key Features:

    • Sectors for transportation, industry, lower-income housing, and high-income residences set in wedges.

Multiple Nuclei Model (Harris-Ullman Model)

  • Suggests cities have multiple centers or nodes of activity.

    • Each node attracts or repels different activities leading to patchwork land uses.

    • Includes CBD functions and smaller business districts emerging in suburbs.

Galactic City Model

  • Celbrates the suburban growth trend post-1950s, where nodes of economic activity (edge cities) develop along major transportation routes, marking a decline in inner city functions.

  • Edge Cities are characterized by tall buildings and dense retail without substantial residential populations.

World-Regional Urban Models

Latin American Cities (Griffen-Ford Model)

  • Features a dual CBD: a traditional center and a modern high-rise center. Housing quality decreases further from the center.

    • Periférico: Outer ring with poverty, lack of infrastructure, and shantytowns (favelas).

European Cities

  • Reflect historical growth, often dense with mixed land use and winding streets.

    • CBDs preserve historical character, with restrictions on building heights and mixed uses including small businesses.

African Cities

  • Traditional and colonial CBDs, informal economy zones, and residential zones divided by ethnicity.

    • Informal Settlements: Unplanned areas facing health and safety issues.

Middle Eastern Cities

  • Central mosques and twisting streets contribute to the city's structure, reflecting cultural adaptations.

Southeast Asian Cities (McGee Model)

  • Modern city typically centers around a former colonial port zone. It often includes government zones and secondary commercial zones due to historical Chinese immigration.

Zoning and Land Use Regulations

  • Zoning Ordinances help manage land use (residential, commercial, industrial) to balance needs and provide services.

    • Residential Zones: Set limits on density and size of homes.

    • Changes over time in neighborhoods can happen due to filtering and social dynamics.

Political Organization of Cities

  • Municipal governments manage local services; annexation or incorporation are key processes for areas outside city boundaries.

  • Patterns of government: Ending fragmentation through consolidation or special districts to address regional needs.

Population Data and Urban Areas

  • U.S. Census: Conducts nationwide surveys offering insights into demographics influencing urban planning and service allocation.

Geographic Perspectives on Wealth

  • Wealth choices shape city structures; in the U.S., wealthy often live in suburbs for space and amenities, while in Europe wealthy tend to live in urban centers for convenience.

These notes provide a comprehensive overview of urban land use models, essential concepts in human geography, and the varying structures of urban areas based on location and historical context. They contain key terms, perspectives, and processes integral to understanding urban geography.