Classic Urban

Models
Three models of urban structure:

– Concentric Zone model

– Sector Model
– Multiple Nuclei Model

Use of the models outside North

America:

– European cities
– LDC’s
 A. Concentric
Zone Model
1. Ernest Burgess (1920s): depicts use of urban land as a set
of concentric rings

- each ring devoted to a different land use (studied Chicago)

 2. Concentric Zones:
Zone I: Central Business District (CBD) that is the most
accessible zone where most of the tertiary employment is
located

Zone II: Zone of Transition where many industrial activities

locate (nearby labor, markets, transport terminals like ports &
rail)

Zone III: Zone of Independent Workers is used by some

industrial activities in inner cities and ethnic enclaves
- contains the poorest segment of the urban population

Zone IV: Zone of Better Residences is dominated by the

working class (often second generation immigrants)

Zone V: Commuter Zone represents higher quality suburban

housing linked with higher commuting costs
 Social Area Analysis:
Percent Renters IN
Indianapolis, IN

The distribution of renters in Indianapolis illustrates the concentric zone model

 3. Concentric Zone
Weaknesses:
– too simple
– developed for American cities
– cars uncommon at time (horses & streetcars)
– assumes reliance on public transit
– lots of spatial differences in terms of ethnic &
social patterns
 B. Sector Model
1. study done in 1939 by Homer Hoyt in
Chicago

2. land use NOT random: defined by functional

sectoral wedges

- transportation “corridors” impact land

uses
- rail lines, major roads, public transport
create “sectors”
 THE Hoyt “SeCTOR
MODEL”

In his model, Hoyt is taking into account differences in

accessibility and, therefore, in land values along transportation
routes
Indianapolis: Household
Income

The distribution of high income households in Indianapolis

is an example of a sector model.
 C. Multiple
Nuclei Model
1. the Harris & Ullman Multi-Nuclei Model (1945) looks
at a city as being multi-nucleated with a downtown
center & satellite centers on the periphery

– presence of many competing decentralized centers

– reflects influence of automobile

Five areas:
1. CBD
2. Wholesaling & light manufacturing area
3. Heavy industrial area
4. Residential areas
5. Outlying suburban areas
 Indianapolis: Ethnic
Patterns

The distribution of minorities in Indianapolis is an example of a multiple nuclei

model.
URBAN MODEL COMPRISONS
St. Louis Metropolitan
Area?

The metropolitan area of St. Louis is spread over several counties and two
states.
Typical Present-day U.S.
City
The “Galactic”
City
 D. Social
Differences in Cities
1. Urban life different due to:

– large size
– high population density
– social diversity
 E. Political
Definitions of
Cities
1. Urban settlements defined in three ways:

– by a legal boundary (a self-governing

political unit)
– a continuously built-up area
– a functional area