Concentric zone model

Definition

The concentric zone model is a theoretical framework that describes urban land use patterns, proposing that cities grow in a series of circular rings emanating from a central point. Each ring represents different types of land use, with the innermost zone typically consisting of the central business district, while subsequent zones include residential areas and industrial regions. This model illustrates how urban areas can be organized spatially and how socio-economic factors influence city layout.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Developed by sociologist Ernest W. Burgess in the 1920s, the concentric zone model was one of the first models to explain urban social structures and growth patterns.
2. The model includes five main zones: the Central Business District, Zone of Transition, Zone of Working-Class Homes, Zone of Better Residences, and the Commuter Zone.
3. According to the model, as cities expand, lower-income populations are typically pushed outward to make way for middle and upper-income housing closer to the center.
4. The concentric zone model emphasizes the impact of transportation on urban growth, as each zone has different access to transportation networks affecting residents' mobility.
5. While it provides a foundational understanding of urban planning, the concentric zone model has been critiqued for being overly simplistic and not accounting for the complexities of modern cities.

Review Questions

• How does the concentric zone model illustrate the relationship between socio-economic status and residential location in a city?
  • The concentric zone model illustrates that as socio-economic status increases, residents tend to move outward from the central business district to areas with better amenities and housing quality. Lower-income individuals often occupy the inner zones where housing is cheaper but may also face challenges such as overcrowding or industrial land use. This pattern shows how urban growth can reinforce socio-economic divisions within a city, as wealthier residents seek to distance themselves from less desirable areas.
• Critique the concentric zone model's effectiveness in explaining contemporary urban development patterns compared to more recent urban planning theories.
  • While the concentric zone model laid important groundwork for understanding urban land use, it falls short in explaining the complexities of contemporary urban development. Modern cities often feature mixed-use developments, irregular growth patterns influenced by economic forces like globalization, and factors such as gentrification that challenge traditional zoning classifications. Recent theories like the multiple nuclei model or edge city concepts recognize these dynamics, highlighting that urban growth is now more decentralized and influenced by various social and economic factors.
• Evaluate how changes in transportation technology have impacted the validity of the concentric zone model over time.
  • Transportation technology has significantly impacted urban growth patterns and calls into question the validity of the concentric zone model. The rise of automobiles allowed for suburban sprawl, meaning that residential areas can now develop far from central business districts. Public transportation advancements have also enabled people to commute from greater distances, leading to diverse community structures that are not confined to concentric rings. These changes suggest that while the concentric zone model provides a historical perspective on urban planning, it must be adapted to accommodate new realities of modern city layouts.

Related terms

Central Business District (CBD): The commercial and business center of a city, characterized by high land values, dense development, and a concentration of retail and office space.

Urbanization: The process by which rural areas transform into urban areas as populations move to cities, often resulting in changes to land use and infrastructure.

Social Stratification: The hierarchical arrangement of individuals or groups in society based on socio-economic status, which influences where people live and the types of communities that develop.