City models

  • Concentric Zone Model (Burgess Model)

    • Developed in the 1920s by sociologist Ernest Burgess.

    • Describes urban environments as a series of concentric rings.

    • CBD (Central Business District): Innermost ring where business is located.

    • Transition Zone: Area of deterioration and gentrification.

    • Working-Class Zone: Modest homes and apartments.

    • Residential Zone: Single-family homes; suburban areas.

    • Commuter Zone: Outskirts of the city, residential areas.

    • Limitations: Does not account for topography or transportation.

  • Sector Model (Hoyt Model)

    • Proposed in 1939 by economist Homer Hoyt.

    • Urban growth creates sectors extending from the city center.

    • Focuses on transportation routes.

    • CBD: Central hub.

    • Industrial Corridor: Extends along transportation routes.

    • Residential Sectors: High-income and low-income districts.

    • Limitations: Oversimplifies and neglects the influence of the new emerging cities.

  • Multiple Nuclei Model (Harris and Ullman Model)

    • Developed in 1945 by Chauncy Harris and Edward Ullman.

    • Cities develop around multiple nodes or nuclei.

    • Includes a variety of activities (e.g., universities, airports, parks).

    • Nuclei: Specialized centers attract specific activities.

    • Variation in Zones: Zones aren't uniform; influenced by specialized nodes.

    • Limitations: Complex and hard to generalize.

  • Peripheral Model (Galactic City Model)

    • Described by Chauncy Harris.

    • Focuses on the growth of suburbs and edge cities.

    • Urban areas consist of an inner city surrounded by suburbs and edge cities.

    • Edge Cities: Nodes of economic activity along the periphery.

    • Suburbanization: Urban sprawl creates residential and commercial areas.

    • Interconnectedness: The city is connected by a major highway or a "beltway."

    • Limitations: It may not apply well to non-US cities or those with different historical development patterns.

  • Latin American City Model (Griffin-Ford Model)

    • Developed by Ernst Griffin and Larry Ford in the 1980s.

    • Combines elements of Latin American culture and globalization.

    • CBD: Primary business and employment center.

    • Spine: Extends from the CBD, surrounded by high-income residences, shops, and services.

    • Peripheral Squatter Settlements: Impoverished and poorly planned areas on the outskirts.

    • Disamenity Zones: Unsafe or undesirable areas.

    • Gentrification Zones: Zones of renovation and foreign investment.

    • Limitations: Fails to fully capture the diversity within Latin American cities.

  • Southeast Asian City Model (T.G. McGee Model)

    • Described by T.G. McGee.

    • Focuses on the importance of ports and trade.

    • Port Zone: Key area for trade and economic development.

    • No CBD: Lacks a dominant CBD.

    • Zones: Various commercial and residential zones radiating.

    • Alien Commercial Zone: Dominated by foreign businesses.

    • Squatter Areas: Informal settlements surround