Sector model

Definition

The sector model is an urban land use theory that proposes cities develop in a series of sectors or wedges radiating out from the central business district (CBD), rather than in concentric rings. This model emphasizes that different types of land use, such as residential and industrial, grow along transportation corridors, leading to a pattern where certain areas of a city are characterized by similar types of activities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The sector model was developed by economist Homer Hoyt in 1939 as a way to explain the spatial arrangement of cities.
2. This model highlights the importance of transportation routes in shaping urban development, with different sectors emerging along these routes.
3. Residential areas tend to extend outward from the CBD in wedges that correspond to the social status of the inhabitants, often leading to the creation of distinct neighborhoods.
4. Industrial sectors are also positioned along major transportation arteries, allowing for efficient movement of goods and services.
5. The sector model contrasts with earlier urban models, like the concentric zone model, by acknowledging that cities can expand in multiple directions rather than just outward from a central point.

Review Questions

• How does the sector model explain the relationship between transportation routes and land use within urban areas?
  • The sector model posits that cities develop along transportation routes, which significantly influence land use patterns. As these routes provide access, they facilitate the growth of sectors or wedges that emerge around them. This leads to a concentration of specific activities, such as industrial zones or affluent residential neighborhoods, aligning with the transportation networks, thereby enhancing connectivity and accessibility within the urban landscape.
• Compare and contrast the sector model with the concentric zone model in terms of their implications for urban planning.
  • While the concentric zone model suggests that urban areas expand outward in circular rings from a central point, the sector model presents a more complex view by highlighting that growth can occur in specific directions based on transportation routes. This distinction has significant implications for urban planning; planners using the sector model might focus on developing infrastructure along key transport corridors to optimize land use and improve access, whereas those following the concentric model may prioritize creating buffer zones between different land uses.
• Evaluate how social and economic factors influence the sectors identified in the sector model and their impact on urban demographics.
  • Social and economic factors play a crucial role in shaping the sectors identified in the sector model. Wealthier populations tend to gravitate towards certain residential sectors, often located along desirable transportation routes, which can lead to gentrification and demographic shifts. Conversely, less affluent communities may be relegated to sectors further from the CBD or along less favorable transport links. This dynamic creates patterns of segregation based on income and social class within cities, impacting access to resources, services, and overall quality of life.

Related terms

central business district (CBD): The commercial and business center of a city, typically characterized by high land values and a concentration of retail and office buildings.

urbanization: The process by which rural areas transform into urban areas, often involving an increase in population density and changes in land use.

land use:

The management and modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environments such as settlements and semi-natural habitats.