Urban Models in Geography

Study Notes

Sector Model

Developed by Homer Hoyt in 1939.
Key components: Central business district, transportation and industry, low-class residential, middle-class residential, high-class residential.
Growth occurs in sectors rather than concentric circles.
Strengths: Allows for outward progression and addresses shortcomings of Burgess's model.
Weaknesses: Based on railroad transportation; does not account for car usage.

Multiple Nuclei Model

Created by Harris and Ullman in 1945.
Components include central business district, various residential layers, and multiple centers for business and manufacturing.
Recognizes cities as structures with multiple activity centers.
Strengths: Reflects decentralization and social-economic group distribution.
Weaknesses: Lacks consideration of physical geography and doesn’t explain demographic specifics.

Urban Realms Model

Proposed by James Vance in the 1970s.
Reflects urban growth patterns linked to automobile use and development of suburban realms.
Suburbs include mini-CBDs, independent from original central business districts.
Strength: Each realm functions economically, enhancing overall metropolis self-sufficiency.
Weakness: Can lead to urban sprawl if model is ineffective.
Effectiveness: Adapted to accommodate large populations and automobile dependency.

Concentric Zone Model

Introduced by Ernest Burgess in 1923.
Suggests cities grow outward in a series of concentric rings: central business district, transition zone, independent workers' homes, better residences, commuter zone.
Strength: Represents urban development patterns of the 1920s.
Weakness: Fails to consider changes in urban landscapes and environmental factors.
Effectiveness: Historically based on Chicago, but increasingly outdated.

Southeast Asian City Model

Developed by T.G. McGee.
Illustrates residential zones radiating from the center; high-class areas closer, low-income on the periphery.
Strength: Highlights diversity through a commercial zone.
Weakness: Distances markets from ports affect trade.
Effectiveness: Suits many developing middle-sized cities, but aspects are subject to change.

Latin American City Model

Crafted by Ford and Griffin in 1980.
Incorporates Latin American culture, colonization effects, and globalization influences.
Strength: Simplified geometric layout; proximity of markets to residences reduces commuting.
Weakness: Poor residents’ outskirts can lead to higher crime rates.

Sub-Saharan African City Model

Created by De Blij.
Examines ethnicities and types of CBDs varying in sectors/rings from a colonial center.
Strength: Market zones located near residential neighborhoods enhance accessibility.
Weakness: Emergence of squatter zones poses urban challenges.

Description

This quiz covers the Sector Model, Multiple Nuclei Model, and Urban Realms Model, exploring their components, strengths, and weaknesses. Understand how these models reflect urban growth and organization, particularly in relation to transportation. Test your knowledge of urban geography concepts developed throughout the 20th century.