URP- 111

Human Settlements

Prepared by: Tandra Das,

Lecturer, Dept. of URP, CUET
 Lecture - 3

Models of Urban Structure

 Lecture Outline
Concept of urban structure
Models of Urban Structure
Concentric Zone Theory
◦ Concept
◦ Main feature
◦ Different Parts
◦ Advantage
◦ Bid-rent curve
◦ Limitation
 Urban Structure
The ultimate success of any urban functions or land use
depends on the location of the site

Structure and spatial distributions of functions within the city

determines the wise location of any urban land use

Spatial structure of a city is the product of three basic forces:

Centripetal forces of attraction and coagulation

Centripetal forces of dispersion and disintegration

Forces of spatial differentiation

Result of these forces: segregation of buildings, persons and

activities in distinct areal groupings
 Urban Structure
Studies and hypotheses on the arrangement of land uses and
distribution of population in urban areas are generally
explained through:

Concentric zone theory

Sector theory

Multiple nuclei theory

Concentric Zone Theory
 Concept

Given by E. W. Burgess (a Chicago sociologist) in 1923

Also known as “Zonal Model”

Based on the observations on various evolution and

characteristics of last 100 years of Chicago city

Burgess explained that, any town or city tends to expand

radically from its centre to form a series of concentric zones

The idea was formulated with special reference to the

sociological structure of the urban community of Chicago
 Main Feature

Development of a city takes place outwards from its central

area to form a series of concentric zones

Tendency of each inner zone is to expand its area by the

invasion of the next outer zone

A process of distribution takes place in expansion of the city

which shifts, sorts and relocates individuals and groups by
residence and occupation
Different Parts of Concentric Zones

Central Business
District (CBD)

Zone of
Transition
Zone of
Workingman’s
homes
Zone of Better
Residence

Commuters’
Zone
 Central Business District
A central pivotal point where people gather to satisfy their
interests, fulfill their needs or carry out designated social or
economic functions

Characteristics:
An area of retail trade, light manufacturing and commercial
recreation

Skyscrapers, department stores, hotels, theaters, and motion

picture houses are concentrated

Encircling by wholesale business district, its market, warehouses

and storage buildings

High land value and rent

Responsible for migration

 Zone of Transition

Immediate path of business and industrial expansion

Also called underdeveloped residential area which is caused

by the encroachment of business and industry from zone I

Characteristics:
Wholesale market, light industry and various offices are located

Environment is overcrowded

Non-expert labour, floating and glittering people are more found

Old houses are seen

Heavily populated by low income class

Zone of Workingman’s Homes
Superior to the area of transition in appearance but falling short of
the residential districts of middle class

Mainly workingmen of various classes, such as industry

worker, transport worker live here

Most of the inhabitants are permanent and easy to

communicate with CBD

Characteristics:
Social groups are stable and built by large working class families

Houses are old and low quality

Residents are those who desire to live near but not too close to
work

Populated by those whose income enable them to have many

comforts
 Zone of Better Residence
Broad area populated by high class people

Rural and solitary environment

Single family, apartment houses and residential hotels are

found

Characteristics:
Greater middle class group live

High class apartment buildings also found

Middle class area of better housing

Most of the city dwellers move with first streetcar network

Commute to work in the CBD

 Commuters’ Zone
Ring of encircling small towns, cities and hamlets

Characteristics:
Lower rental value

High class people build up their residence with a large area

Residents are those who don’t want to live in overcrowded and

polluted areas

Spacious lots and large houses

Social heterogeneity caused by the expansion of zone IV

Located at suburban areas

 Advantages of the Model

Simple and comprehensive

Significant land uses and their relationships are pinpointed in a

generalized form

An inductive model, taking real examples from American cities

in 1920

Represents a way to interpret the process of city growth of

some towns and cities of that particular period
 Bid Rent Curve

Burgess model is based on Bid-rent curve which states that the

concentric circles are based on the amount that people will pay
for the land

This value is based on the profits that are obtainable from

maintaining a business on that land

Center of the town will have the highest number of customers

Limitations of Burgess Model
The model has been challenged by contemporary urban
geographers because

It does not work well with cities outside the US

Because of advancement in transportation, IT and transformation

in global economy cities are no longer organized with clear zones

Meaning of fifth zone is not clear

It assumes an even, unchanging landscape

Physical features- land may restrict growth of certain sector

Limitations of Burgess Model
Hoyt’s criticism
CBD is not only the major commercial center in many large cities

Boundaries of CBD are not always clearly defined

Wholesale and light manufacturing industries are adjacent to the

CBD but generally do not entirely encircle it

Quinn’s criticism

Burgess ignored the factor of inertia which requires a test of detail

history of the city

Immobility is considerable within cities (in case of buildings,

streets, railroads etc.)

The degree to which a city reorders itself depends on the mobility

of people and capital, willingness of people to move
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