Burgess Model

Definition

The Burgess Model, also known as the Concentric Zone Model, is a theory of urban land use that illustrates how cities expand outward from a central point in a series of concentric circles. Developed by sociologist Ernest W. Burgess in 1925, this model helps explain patterns of urbanization and population distribution, particularly in industrial cities during the early 20th century.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Burgess Model was based on studies of Chicago and reflects the socio-economic divisions present in early 20th-century American cities.
2. The model consists of five zones: the Central Business District (CBD), the Zone of Transition, Zone of Working-Class Homes, Zone of Better Residences, and the Commuter Zone.
3. According to the Burgess Model, as one moves away from the center of the city, residential property values generally increase while density decreases.
4. The model suggests that urban expansion typically occurs through invasion and succession, where new populations move into existing areas and displace older residents.
5. While the Burgess Model was influential in understanding urban growth patterns, it has limitations as modern cities often exhibit more complex and varied layouts than this simplistic model suggests.

Review Questions

• How does the Burgess Model explain urban land use patterns in industrial cities?
  • The Burgess Model explains urban land use patterns by illustrating that cities develop in a series of concentric circles around a central point. The Central Business District (CBD) is at the center, surrounded by zones that represent different socio-economic classes. This structure shows how industrialization led to various land uses and population distributions as different groups settled at varying distances from the center based on income levels and housing availability.
• Discuss the relevance of the Zone of Transition in the context of urban growth and social dynamics within cities.
  • The Zone of Transition is crucial because it serves as a buffer between the Central Business District and residential areas. This zone often has mixed land uses and is characterized by lower property values, making it attractive to lower-income populations or recent immigrants. The dynamic nature of this zone highlights how urban growth involves constant change as populations shift and adapt, influencing the overall social fabric of the city.
• Evaluate how suburbanization challenges the assumptions made by the Burgess Model regarding urban population distribution.
  • Suburbanization challenges the Burgess Model by demonstrating that urban growth does not always follow a concentric pattern. Instead of only expanding outward from the city center, populations are increasingly moving to suburban areas for better housing options and quality of life. This trend leads to decentralized urban forms that can disrupt traditional models like Burgess's, requiring updates to theories about how cities grow and how populations are distributed across different zones.

Related terms

Urbanization: The process by which an increasing percentage of a population lives in cities and urban areas, often resulting in significant social, economic, and environmental changes.

Zone of Transition: The area surrounding the central business district (CBD) in the Burgess Model, characterized by mixed land uses and often inhabited by lower-income populations or recent immigrants.

Suburbanization: The movement of people from urban areas to suburban areas, leading to the growth of suburbs and often changing the dynamics of population distribution.