Urban Models for City Structure

Overview

• Purpose of Urban Models: Describe internal structure of cities.
  • Explain spatial arrangement of residential, commercial, and industrial districts.
  • Help understand why certain buildings are located where they are.
• Key Components: Central Business District (CBD), Industrial/Commercial districts, Residential areas.
• Exam Focus:
  • Strengths and limitations of each model.
  • Impact of transportation innovations on models.
  • Location and relationship of different sectors.
  • Bid-rent theory: Land cost decreases as distance from CBD increases.

North American Models

Burgess Concentric Zone Model

• Development: 1920s, based on Chicago.
• Structure: Uniform concentric circles radiating from the CBD.
  • Circle 1: CBD - Major businesses, political offices.
  • Circle 2: Zone of Transition - Mixed use, industrial and low-cost housing.
  • Circle 3: Working-class Residential - Close to industrial jobs.
  • Circle 4: Middle-class Residential - Larger homes, cheaper land.
  • Circle 5: Upper-class Residential - Suburban, expensive homes.
• Limitations: Over-simplified, outdated with advancements in transportation.

Hoyt Sector Model

• Development: 1939, based on transportation routes.
• Structure: Wedge-shaped sectors extending from CBD.
  • Transportation routes key in shaping development.
  • Lower income housing near industrial sectors.
  • Middle/Upper class move further along transport routes.
• Limitations: Assumes predictable development.

Multiple Nuclei Model

• Development: 1940s, by Harris and Ullman.
• Structure: Multiple nodes for different urban functions.
  • Growth around several nuclei, not just CBD.
  • Urban land use varies with local context.
• Determinants: Specialized land, economic benefits, avoidance of negative externalities.
• Limitations: Blending of nuclei over time.

Galactic City Model

• Development: Response to urban sprawl and car travel.
• Structure: Decentralized, edge cities linked by highways.
  • Edge cities provide services typically from CBD.
  • Beltways connect different urban nodes.
• Limitations: Decreased relevance due to internet-based commerce.

International Models

Latin American Model

• Influence: Colonial Spanish policies.
• Structure: Combines concentric and wedge-shaped elements.
  • Dual CBD with business and market areas.
  • Upper-class housing along high-quality transport spine.
  • Zones of maturity and in situ accretion for middle and lower classes.
  • Disamenity zones for poorest residents.

Southeast Asian Model

• Characteristics: Influenced by colonial trade ports.
• Structure: Wedge-shaped, focused around water-based ports.
  • High-class residential near ports and government zones.
  • Suburban and squatter areas intermingle.
  • Includes market gardening zone.

Sub-Saharan African Model

• Structure: Three CBDs - Colonial, Traditional, Modernizing.
  • Ethnic neighborhoods near mining/manufacturing.
  • Outermost poverty-stricken shanty towns.

Conclusion

• Each model has strengths and limitations based on historical and geographical context.
• Adaptation over time due to transportation and technological advances.
• Review for Unit 6 and AP Human Geography Heimler Review Guide recommended.