Homer Hoyt

Definition

Homer Hoyt was an influential urban planner and economist, best known for his development of the Sector Model of urban land use in 1939. His model proposed that cities grow in sectors or wedges, rather than in concentric circles, with different socio-economic groups occupying specific areas based on transportation routes and accessibility. This model shifted the understanding of urban development, emphasizing the importance of transportation in shaping the layout of cities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hoyt's Sector Model suggests that cities grow outward from the center along transportation corridors, resulting in distinct sectors for residential, industrial, and commercial land use.
2. The model was based on observations of Chicago in the early 20th century and highlighted how socioeconomic status influences residential location.
3. Hoyt argued that unlike the concentric zone model, different land uses do not expand uniformly but instead extend in specific directions based on infrastructure.
4. The Sector Model has been influential in urban planning, helping city planners understand and design urban areas with better transportation networks.
5. Hoyt's work laid the groundwork for future theories of urban development, emphasizing the role of transportation and economic factors in shaping city landscapes.

Review Questions

• How does Homer Hoyt's Sector Model differ from the Concentric Zone Model in explaining urban growth?
  • Homer Hoyt's Sector Model differs significantly from the Concentric Zone Model by proposing that urban growth occurs in distinct sectors or wedges that radiate outward from the central business district, rather than uniformly in concentric circles. This model highlights the influence of transportation routes on land use patterns, suggesting that different socioeconomic groups establish their residences along these corridors. In contrast, the Concentric Zone Model implies a more uniform expansion where social classes are arranged in circular zones without regard to transportation links.
• Discuss the implications of Hoyt's Sector Model for contemporary urban planning and development.
  • Hoyt's Sector Model has important implications for contemporary urban planning as it underscores the need to consider transportation infrastructure when designing cities. By recognizing that land use evolves along specific corridors, planners can create more efficient transport networks that connect residential areas with commercial and industrial zones. This understanding helps to promote sustainable urban growth, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility for different socioeconomic groups. Additionally, Hoyt's model encourages planners to think critically about social equity and access to services within various sectors.
• Evaluate how Hoyt's Sector Model can be applied to analyze current urban trends such as gentrification or suburbanization.
  • Evaluating Hoyt's Sector Model allows for a deeper understanding of current urban trends like gentrification and suburbanization by providing a framework to analyze how these phenomena occur along specific transportation routes. For instance, gentrification often takes place in inner-city neighborhoods adjacent to major transit lines, leading to increased property values and changes in demographic composition within those sectors. Similarly, suburbanization can be observed as populations move outward from urban centers along highways and public transit corridors. By applying Hoyt's insights, planners and researchers can better predict and manage the implications of these trends on urban form and social dynamics.

Related terms

Sector Model: A model proposed by Homer Hoyt that suggests urban land use develops in sectors or wedges radiating out from the central business district, influenced by transportation routes.

Urban Land Use: The classification and arrangement of various functions such as residential, commercial, and industrial within a city, which can be impacted by models like Hoyt's.

Concentric Zone Model: A theory developed by Ernest Burgess that describes urban land use in concentric circles, which was later challenged by Hoyt's Sector Model.