Many criticisms of the Hoyt Sector Model are similar to those of the Burgess Model, although it should be considered that the model was put forward before the redevelopment of inner-city areas and the rapid growth of the car-based suburb.

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Urban Morphology

  • As cities have grown in area and population in the 20th century, many geographers have tried to identify and to explain variations in spatial patterns. Spatial patterns, which show differences and similarities in land use and/or social groupings within a city, reflect how various urban areas have evolved economically and culturally in response to changing conditions over a period of time. While each city has its own distinctive pattern, studies of other urban areas have shown that they also demonstrate similar patterns. Consequently, several models describing and explaining urban structure have been put forward.
  • The two urban models below are the typical structures of many towns and cities in MEDCs.

Burgess Model;

  • This is a very simple urban model, based upon the American city of Chicago using the geographical theory that as the town or city grows, newer buildings are constructed further away from the CBD. Whilst creating his model, Burgess made the following assumptions;
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  • The city was built upon flat land, thus giving equal advantages in all directions, i.e. all morphological features, such as rivers, were unaccounted for.
  • Land values were the highest in the centre of the city, decreasing rapidly outwards creating a zoning of urban functions and land use.
  • The oldest buildings were found either in or close to the city centre. Buildings became progressively newer towards the city boundary.
  • The city contained a range of well defined socio-economic and ethnic areas.  
  • There were in concentrations of heavy industry such as mining or steel production.
  • The ...

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