Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the term used to describe the central area of a city with a concentration of business activities?
What is the term used to describe the central area of a city with a concentration of business activities?
What is the primary advantage of grid models in urban planning?
What is the primary advantage of grid models in urban planning?
What is the name of the model that describes the city as a series of concentric rings, each home to a different group and social function?
What is the name of the model that describes the city as a series of concentric rings, each home to a different group and social function?
In the Concentric Zone Model, what type of housing is typically found in the third ring?
In the Concentric Zone Model, what type of housing is typically found in the third ring?
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Why did urban planners move away from grid models in the 1960s?
Why did urban planners move away from grid models in the 1960s?
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What is a limitation of the Concentric Zone Model?
What is a limitation of the Concentric Zone Model?
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What is the primary characteristic of the grid model of urban structure?
What is the primary characteristic of the grid model of urban structure?
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Which urban structure model is based on the idea that cities develop in wedge-shaped sectors?
Which urban structure model is based on the idea that cities develop in wedge-shaped sectors?
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What is the main assumption of the multiple nuclei model?
What is the main assumption of the multiple nuclei model?
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What is the primary focus of the concentric ring model?
What is the primary focus of the concentric ring model?
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What is the main purpose of the irregular pattern model?
What is the main purpose of the irregular pattern model?
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What is urban structure primarily concerned with?
What is urban structure primarily concerned with?
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Study Notes
Urban Structure Models
- The grid model divides land into streets that run at right angles to each other, forming a grid, and promotes development.
- Grid plans are more common in North American cities than in European cities.
- The grid model facilitates development by allowing developers to subdivide and auction off large parcels of land, and yields regular lots that maximize use and minimize boundary disputes.
- However, grids can be dangerous because long, straight roads allow faster automobile traffic.
Concentric Ring/Zone Model
- The concentric ring/zone model was postulated by sociologist Ernest Burgess in 1924, based on his observations of Chicago.
- The model draws on human ecology theories, which compare the city to an ecosystem.
- Urban residents naturally sort themselves into five concentric rings or ecological niches, depending on class and cultural assimilation.
- The five rings are:
- Zone A: Central business district (CBD)
- Zone B: Zone of transition, containing industry and poorer-quality housing
- Zone C: Zone of independent workers’ homes
- Zone D: Zone of newer and larger houses occupied by the middle-class
- Zone E: Commuter’s zone, residential suburbs
Limitations of the Concentric Ring/Zone Model
- The model's general applicability has been challenged, as it does not accurately describe urban geography in other countries.
- The model fails to account for topographical and physical features of the landscape.
- Advances in transportation and communication have blurred the zones in new cities.
Other Urban Structure Models
- Sectoral model: assumes that the city develops in wedge-shaped sectors instead of rings, with certain areas being more attractive for various activities.
- Multiple nuclei model: assumes that car ownership granted people more mobility and led to the development of specialized regional centers within cities.
- Irregular pattern model: developed to better explain urban structure in the Third World, where there is often a lack of planning or construction.
Key Terms
- Central business district (CBD): the central area of a city in which a concentration of certain retail and business activities takes place.
- Urban open space: open space areas for parks, green spaces, and other open areas.
- Human ecology: describes the city as analogous to an ecosystem, with natural processes of adaptation and assimilation.
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Description
Learn about the different models of urban structure, including grid, sectoral, and concentric ring models, and analyze their similarities and differences using human ecology theory.
