APHG
Unit 7
Land Use Models: Urban settlements from Around the World
Copeland
- North American Models
The three main “classic” models of North American cities are now somewhat dated, but they do assist us in understanding the existing patterns of urbanization throughout North America. The physical patterns still remain as vestiges and controls on the current landscape. All three models exhibit the following characteristics:
- CBD-intensive land development, tall buildings, many retail outlets, offices, crowded streets and acts as center of employment
- CBD is framed by fringe areas-wholesaling activities, transportation terminals, warehouses, light industry and major thoroughfares (interstates and highways)
- All have heterogeneous populations within society
- Competition for centrality due to limited space in and around CBD (bid-rent theory)
- Invasion and succession is a common issue
- All models focus on accessibility
- Clear cut boundaries between land-use zones
- Residential segregation occurs, but lines are less distinct
A. Concentric Zone Model (Burgess, 1925)
A series of nested or concentric rings that include four distinct areas/rings
1) Zone of Transition-abandoned by wealthier residents that now include ethnic ghettos, low income slums, high density gradient
2) Zone of Independent Workers-occupied by industrial workers, modest homes
3) Zone of Better Residents-high-rent district, individuals who can afford cost of travel
4) Commuter Zone-low density gradient, isolated residential suburbs
*model is dynamic/ever-changing through invasion and succession (rings expand into the next ring); includes segregation by income level. Separates according to family status (young families live farther away)
Problems:
B. Sector Model (Hoyt, 1939)
Pattern of housing and wealth with a high-rent axis, continues to expand as the city grows. Middle class separates high income from low income; includes sectors of industrial land use close to possible workers; filtering down process (old areas abandoned by wealthy, later become lower class housing); therefore, poorest are closest to the CBD; separates of basis of social status
Problems:
C. Multi-nuclei Model (Harris and Ullman, 1945)
Multiple nodes (hence the name), large cities develop by spread from several nodes of growth; includes nodes of special functions (commercial, port, industrial, residential). Nodes are located according to accessibility, land use compatibility and land use incompatibility. This is a non-regularly structured pattern of development.
*Desire to live in clusters, cultural segregation may be sought and defended.
Problems:
E. Peripheral Model: Most cities in developed countries (United States) tend to borrow elements from each model and fuse elements of each to create their own. Often times resulting in a Peripheral Model (see below)
Problems:
F. Vance’s Urban Realms Model
Characteristics:
G. White’s 21st Century Model
Characteristics:
Epochs of Urban Transportation Development
•Focused on intraurban growth
•Based on breakthroughs in transportation technology
Sail-Wagon Epoch (1790–1830), cities grow near ports and major waterways which are used for transportation;
Iron Horse Epoch (1830–70), characterized by impact of steam engine technology, and development of steamboats and regional railroad networks;
Steel Rail Epoch (1870–1920), dominated by the development of long haul railroads and a national railroad network;
Auto-Air-Amenity Epoch (1920–70), with growth in the gasoline combustion engine;
High-Technology Epoch (1970–Present Day), expansion in service and information sectors of the economy
- European cities-much older (Rome, Athens, Paris, Rome, London); established as ecclesiastical or university centers, have defensive strongholds, act as administrative centers; zoning laws determine how land and buildings can be used (residential, commercial and industrial); streets are set up in dendritic patterns (designed for foot traffic); many cities established in Europe due to expansion of Industrial Revolution; wealthy live in CBDs; many city parks; greenbelts (rural areas set aside to prevent development) are prevalent in the United Kingdom and are used to prevent in-filling. World War II was a factor in determining recent development in European cities (new buildings next to older buildings)
Stages of Urban Development
Characteristics of Developing/less-developed World Urban Land Use Models
III. Latin American cities-urban growth rates rapidly increasing (Mexico City), farmers moving to city for work (unproductive); cities have a spine of high income (gated communities) extending from CBD; squatter settlements (areas of extreme poverty) are located on edge of city, squatter settlements are referred to as favelas in Brazil and barriadas in other states, these are crime-ridden areas.
Latin American City Model as developed by Dr. Larry Ford (city is laid out like hub and spoke of a bicycle wheel)
Mexico City Problems:
IV. Asian cities- newer cities with great infrastructure; located on coasts; built for trade; expanding middle class due to increase in foreign investment (U.S. and Europe); Seoul, Hong Kong and Singapore are considered entrepots (re-export goods); have office park agglomerations and high tech corridors; have many shopping malls similar to those found in U.S.; megacities (Tokyo, Osaka, Beijing, Shanghai, Delhi, Mumbai, Manila) have populations greater than 10 million.
Southeast Asian city model developed by Terry McGee (see how everything extends from port)
V. Islamic cities- located in Middle East, North Africa and Indonesia (Cairo, Tehran, Dubai, Istanbul); twisted streets for shade; space for common gatherings; city is laid out based on Islamic principles found in the Koran (most important aspect is the mosque, located in center of the city), primary mosques are referred to as a jani; traditional part of city is usually walled; windows are generally small; buildings are connected, but it is built for privacy of residents; bazaar (street market)is found in the city.
VI. Sub-Saharan African cities-fastest-growing urban areas of the world, economic conditions like what is found in Latin America create overcrowding in cities; unemployment as high as 30-40% in many sub-Saharan African cities; have three CBDs(colonial, traditional and market/bazaar); exceptions to all of the above characteristics are found in South Africa (more modern like U.S. or Asian)