Burgess Concentric Zone Model Flashcards
Who developed the theory and when
- Ernest Burgess
- 1925
On what and where was his observations based
- Residential land use
- Chicago, USA
What did he notice about the CBD
Land use was organised in concentric zones around the CBD
What did he notice about the city centre
Land values are highest
What did he notice about the socio-economic status (2)
- Poorer people lived in the city centre
- Richer people lived in the suburbs or urban boundary
Zone 1
The CBD, containing shops and offices
Zone 2
Old traditional industrial buildings such as breweries and textile factories were located
Zone 3
Contained lower income housing
Zone 4
Contained middle income housing, with more space and gardens
Zone 5
Commuter zone containing higher income housing e.g. large detached housing.
The model in relation to modern developed cities
Has several problems that make it difficult to apply
Problem 1 (2)
- Assumed that land was flat and featureless
- Rivers, valleys and irregularly-shaped harbours change the pattern of land use
Problem 2 (2)
- In his day only rich could afford transport and live on the outskirts of a city
- Today all members of society may live on the edge of an urban area regardless of income levels
Problem 3
Burgess did not consider that industry and transport links could impact on the location of residential or other land use
