C

Unit 6 Chapters 4-5

6.4 - The Size and Distribution of Cities

Learning Objectives

  • Understand how cities are organized in systems.

  • Explain urban hierarchy and distribution patterns using key theories and models.

Key Vocabulary

Term

Definition

Urban System

A network of interdependent cities across a region or country.

Urban Hierarchy

A ranking of cities based on size and functional complexity.

Rank-Size Rule

A pattern where the second-largest city has half the population of the largest, the third one-third, etc.

Primate City

A city that is disproportionately large and dominant over others in a country.

Central Place Theory

A model that explains the spatial distribution of cities based on the availability of goods and services.

Threshold

The minimum number of people needed to support a service.

Range

The maximum distance people are willing to travel for a service.

Gravity Model

The concept that interaction between two places decreases as distance increases but increases with population size.

Core Concepts

Urban Systems

  • Cities form networks, depending on transport, trade, and governance.

  • They serve different functions (economic, political, cultural) and support each other.

Urban Hierarchy

  • Based on the size and importance of cities.

  • Top: large cities with many services.

  • Bottom: small towns with fewer services.

Rank-Size Rule

  • Predictable population pattern in developed countries.

  • Formula: Rank of a city is inversely proportional to its population size.

Example: If the largest city has 1,000,000 people, the 2nd has ~500,000, 3rd ~333,000, etc.

Primate Cities

  • Cities that are more than twice the size of the next largest city.

  • Often dominate in developing countries.

  • Serve as political, economic, and cultural centers.

Examples: Paris (France), Lima (Peru), Bangkok (Thailand)

Central Place Theory (Christaller)

  • Explains why cities and services are distributed in a hexagonal pattern.

  • People travel short distances for low-order goods (e.g., groceries) and longer for high-order goods (e.g., surgery).

  • Cities develop where market areas (hinterlands) meet.

Gravity Model

  • The larger and closer two places are, the more interaction they will have.

  • Used to analyze trade patterns, migration, and service use.

Review Questions

  1. What is the rank-size rule? Where is it most common?

  2. What makes a city a primate city?

  3. What does Christaller’s model say about urban service distribution?

  4. Define threshold and range with examples.

  5. How does the gravity model explain city interaction?

6.5 - The Internal Structure of Cities

Learning Objectives

  • Explain how cities are organized internally.

  • Use urban models to describe land use, housing, and business locations.

Key Vocabulary

Term

Definition

Concentric Zone Model

A model showing city growth in rings outward from the CBD.

Sector Model

A model that shows cities growing in wedges along transport routes.

Multiple-Nuclei Model

A model suggesting cities grow from multiple centers or nodes.

Galactic City Model

A post-industrial model showing cities with decentralized edge cities and car-dependent areas.

Bid-Rent Theory

Theory stating that land value and rent decrease the further from the CBD.

Core Concepts

Concentric Zone Model (Burgess)

  • City grows outward in rings from the CBD (central business district).

  • Zones:

    1. CBD

    2. Zone of Transition (factories, lower-income housing)

    3. Working-Class Housing

    4. Middle-Class Homes

    5. Suburbs

Based on Chicago in the early 20th century.

Sector Model (Hoyt)

  • City develops in sectors (wedges) radiating out from the CBD.

  • Land use aligns with transportation lines (e.g., railroads, highways).

  • Certain areas are more desirable based on location and access.

Multiple-Nuclei Model (Harris & Ullman)

  • Cities develop around multiple centers (nodes).

  • Each node has a different function (e.g., industrial, residential, commercial).

  • Recognizes decentralization and specialized districts.

Galactic City Model (Peripheral Model)

  • Post-industrial city form, focused on automobiles.

  • Edge cities develop around ring roads or highways.

  • CBD still exists but is less dominant.

  • Suburbs grow into independent business centers.

Bid-Rent Theory

  • Land closer to the CBD is more expensive.

  • Land use patterns:

    • Businesses (need exposure, pay most)

    • Apartments/housing (next highest)

    • Suburbs (cheaper, less accessible)

Review Questions

  1. Which model describes a city with rings?

  2. What’s the main feature of the sector model?

  3. Why does the multiple-nuclei model reflect modern cities better?

  4. How does the galactic model show decentralization?

  5. According to bid-rent theory, who pays the most for land?