Urban Geography Models

Bid Rent Theory

  • Land prices decrease with distance from the CBD.
  • Impacts spatial layout, land, and building use.
  • Closer to CBD: buildings close together, vertical expansion.
  • Farther from CBD: horizontal expansion, dispersed.
  • High density = less available land = higher prices.
  • CBD: Skyscrapers (small lot, vertical).
  • Manufacturing/Warehouses: outside CBD for cheaper land, close to CBD for connection.
  • Residential Zones: farthest from CBD for larger lots and cheaper prices.

Burgess Concentric Model

  • CBD in the center.
  • Zone of transition: older homes & industries, lower-income residents.
  • Working-class homes are older, near CBD/transition zone.
  • Better residence zone: newer, dispersed homes.
  • Commuter zone: outside city limits.
  • Becoming outdated due to globalization, production changes, urban renewal, and gentrification.

Hoyt Sector Model

  • Focus on transportation.
  • City develops in sectors/wedges around economic activities.
  • Industries locate near transportation routes (highways, railroads).
  • Dated due to transportation changes and shift to edge cities.

Harris-Ullman Multiple Nuclei Model

  • Multiple CBDs.
  • Complex spatial layout with activities around specific nodes.
  • Each node attracts/repels specific people/businesses.

Galactic Model (Peripheral Model)

  • Post-industrial city, service-based economy.
  • Accounts for technology, transportation, and people living outside city boundaries.
  • Includes edge cities located on beltways/highways.

Latin American City Model

  • Impact of European colonization, central plaza with government/religious buildings.
  • CBD with a spine extending outwards: wealthier residents and commercial activity.
  • Zone of maturity: older homes, gentrification.
  • Peripheral areas: middle and low-income housing.
  • Disamenity zone: extreme poverty, lack of infrastructure, squatter settlements.

Sub-Saharan African City Model

  • Impact of European colonization, grid pattern.
  • Three CBDs: colonial CBD, traditional CBD, informal/market zone.
  • Ethnic and mixed neighborhoods reflect segregation.
  • Shanty towns/squatter settlements on outskirts.

Southeast Asian City Model

  • No traditional CBD; centered around a port due to geography, colonial trading posts, and urbanization.
  • Alien commercial zone: stems from the port.
  • Government zones next to the port.
  • Mixed residential areas with newer suburban developments.
  • Agricultural production on the outside of the city.