Concentric Zone Model
The Concentric Zone Model was created by Ernest Burgess. It explains urban land use as a series of concentric rings that expand outward from the city center. * Based on urban sociology * Developed from studying Chicago in the early 1900s * Assumes a flat, isotropic landscape (no physical barriers)
zones in the Concentric Zone Model
From center outward: 1. CBD (Central Business District) * Businesses, offices, retail * High land value 2. Zone of Transition * Industry, factories * Low-income housing, immigrants * High crime + pollution 3. Working-Class Zone * Modest homes * Close to factories 4. Middle-Class Zone * Better housing * Less dense 5. Commuter Zone (Suburbs) * Wealthier residents * Long-distance commuters
strengths and weaknesses of the Concentric Zone Model
Strengths: * Simple and easy to understand * Shows impact of industrialization Weaknesses: * Does NOT apply well to modern cities * Assumes everyone moves outward over time * Ignores transportation and multiple centers * Based only on one city (Chicago)
Sector Model
The Sector Model was developed by Homer Hoyt. It shows cities developing in wedges (sectors) extending from the CBD. * Based on housing and rent data * Growth follows transportation routes (roads, railroads)
structure of the Sector Model
- CBD is still at the center * City expands outward in sectors/wedges * Key patterns: * High-income areas remain in one sector * Industrial zones follow transportation routes * Lower-income housing near industry 👉 Once a sector forms, it tends to stay that way over time
strengths and weaknesses of the Sector Model
Strengths: * Accounts for transportation influence * More realistic than concentric model Weaknesses: * Still assumes one CBD * Doesn’t fully explain modern suburban growth * Doesn’t include multiple activity centers
Multiple Nuclei Model
The Multiple Nuclei Model was developed by Chauncy Harris and Edward Ullman. It states that cities develop around multiple centers (nuclei) instead of a single CBD.
multiple nuclei
Because different activities require different locations: * Some businesses need specific resources * Some land uses repel each other (ex: industry vs wealthy housing) * Suburbs create their own centers (malls, offices) 👉 Examples: * Airports * Shopping centers * Industrial parks * Edge cities
key characteristics of the Multiple Nuclei Model
- No single dominant CBD * Several specialized districts * Cities spread out in many directions * Reflects modern urban sprawl 👉 Often includes: * Residential suburbs * Business districts outside downtown * Industrial zones separated from housing
strengths and weaknesses of the Multiple Nuclei Model
Strengths: * Most accurate for modern cities * Reflects decentralization and suburban growth Weaknesses: * More complex * Harder to generalize * Doesn’t apply perfectly to all cities globally
Compare all three models
Model | Shape | Key Idea | Best For | | ————— | ——— | ————————— | ————————— | | Concentric | Circles | City grows outward in rings | Early industrial cities | | Sector | Wedges | Growth along transportation | Expanding industrial cities | | Multiple Nuclei | Scattered | Multiple centers | Modern cities |
assumptions of all three models
- Cities are located on flat land * Land use is based on economic competition * People choose locations based on cost and accessibility
