6 Settlement dynamics
6.3 The changing structure of urban settlements Functional zonation
Revised
The concentric zone model
The main assumptions upon which the model was based are: l a uniform land surface l free competition for space l universal access to a single-centred city l continuing in-migration to the city, with development taking place outward from the central core E. W. Burgess concluded that the city would tend to form a series of concentric zones (Figure 6.5), with the physical expansion of the city occurring by the processes of invasion and succession, with each of the concentric zones expanding at the expense of the one beyond. Business activities agglomerated in the central business district (CBD), which was the point of maximum accessibility for the urban area as a whole. Surrounding the CBD was the ‘zone in transition’ where older private houses were being subdivided into flats and bed-sitters or converted to offices and light industry. Newcomers to the city were attracted to this zone because of the concentration of relatively cheap, low-quality rented accommodation. In-migrants tended to group in ethnic ghettos.
A concentric zone is a region of an urban area, circular in shape, surrounding the CBD and possibly other regions of a similar shape, that has common land use/socio-economic characteristics. The zone in transition (twilight zone) is the area just beyond the CBD, which is characterised by a mixture of residential, industrial and commercial land use, tending towards deterioration and blight. The poor quality and relatively cheap cost of accommodation makes this part of the urban area a focus for in-migrants, resulting in a rate of population change higher than in other parts of the urban area.
Beyond the zone in transition came the ‘zone of working-men’s homes’ characterised by some of the oldest housing in the city, and stable social groups. Next came the ‘residential zone’ occupied by the middle classes, with its newer and larger houses. Finally, the ‘commuters’ zone’ extended beyond the built-up area. 3 2 4 1
3 2
3
5 4
3
Concentric zone model
Sector model
3 1
3 3
1 3
2 3 4 5 10
2
3
4
5 7
6 8 9
Multiple-nuclei model
1 Central business district 2 Wholesale light manufacturing 3 Low-class residential 4 Medium-class residential 5 High-class residential 6 Heavy manufacturing 7 Outlying business district 8 Residential suburb 9 Industrial suburb 10 Commuters’ zone
Source: OCR AS Geography by M. Raw (Philip Allan Updates, 2008), p.203
Figure 6.5 Concentric zone, sector and multiple-nuclei models 92
Cambridge International AS and A Level Geography Revision Guide
