5.2 Urban Land Use Theories


In order to explain the layout of the world’s cities, geographers have developed different models to show how different land uses are located within different areas or zones. In this section, we will look at the three main theories of urban land use: l


l l


Concentric zone model, devised by Ernest Burgess in 1925 Sector model, devised by Homer Hoyt in 1939


Multiple nuclei model, devised by Chauncy Harris and Edward Ullman in 1945.


Theory 1: Concentric Zone Model


Ernest Burgess was an American sociologist who devised the concentric zone model in 1925. His theory was one of the earliest theoretical models to explain the social structures of urban areas. His theory aimed to explain how social groups are distributed and land is used in different parts of urban areas. He based his theory on the city of Chicago and observed that land use was organised into a series of concentric circles around the Central Business District (CBD).


Burgess’s theory is based on the idea that land values are highest at the city centre of a town or city. Burgess highlighted that the outer fringe of the CBD is constantly changing and expanding. As it expands, the land at its fringe is redeveloped for use in the CBD. Burgess referred to this area as the zone of transition.


It is important to note that, at the time, society was particularly class- conscious, with residential zones divided strictly according to income and class. Two particular observations made by Burgess were that: l


l


The density of housing is highest closer to the city centre and decreases with distance from the CBD.


In total, Burgess identifies five concentric zones of land use in his theory: l


Zone one: This is the CBD and the commercial heart of the city. Buildings here are tall and land is expensive, leading to a higher density of buildings as all available space is utilised to its maximum potential.


l


Zone two: This is known as the zone of transition and has a mix of residential and commercial uses. Although there is some industry here, it mainly consists of high-density and low-quality housing. Many of these houses are filled by migrants who avail of cheaper rent prices.


l


Zone three: This zone is dominated by lower-income residential housing. Working class people live in this zone, which mainly comprises


URBAN LAND USE AND PLANNING 139


; Fig. 5.9 Concentric zone model


Commuter zone Residential zone Working class zone


Zone of transition Factory zone CBD


GEO DICTIONARY


Socio-economic status increased with distance from the city centre, as the wealthy lived away from the city centre in suburbs


Zone of transition: an area surrounding the CBD of a city, where functions and land uses regularly change


A


Z


Elective 5: Human CHAPTER 5


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