Concentric Zone (Ring) Model
In 1939, Homer Hoyt propounded an alternative theory of urban structure and its growth pattern. Through the sectors model, Hoyt tried to overcome the weaknesses of earlier theory of Burgess. Hoyt argued that cities do not develop in the form of simple rings, instead, they have ‘sectors’.
Sector Theory of urban structure and its growth was mainly based on residential rent patterns and the impacts of transportation development. In an empirical study of American cities, Homer Hoyt observed that high-rent areas are located in one or more sectors of the city. He prepared a map showing how rent changed by sectors irrespective of concentric circles. Generating from the maps of housing features and land use patterns of cities, he analysed the impact of transportation on the recreational areas and other changes.
Homer Hoyt suggested that few activities grow in the form of sectors that radiates out along the main travel links. Activities in a sector are considered to be the same throughout the sector because of the purpose/function it serves. These sectors grow along railway lines, highways or rivers.
According to this theoretical model there are five major concentric zones. These are as following:
- Central Business District (CBD)
The inner most ring zone or nucleus of the city is a commercial centre also called Central Business District (CBD). This zone is characterized by high intensity of commercial and civic amenities. It is the heart of the city which includes department stores, office buildings, shops, banks, clubs, hotels, theatres and many other civic buildings. Being the centre of commercial activities and location, it is accessible from all directions and attracts a large number of people. Therefore, it is a zone with the highest intensity of land use and social interaction. The high intensity of land use further indicates the high value of land and rents.
As a result, the residential population in this zone is very small. People in search of cheaper, spacious and pollution-free accommodation move away from the core of the city. This is one of the reasons that the congested city area is deserted at weekends or on non-working days.
Burgess further describes that the morphological structure of CBD is changing rapidly with our changing needs. The rearrangements occur through new building construction. This is a continuous process of rebuilding since the city began.
- Zone of Transition
The zone surrounds the CBD area and fulfils its needs, like light industrial production and business extension houses. Light Industries and slums mainly occupy this zone, which may be seen in many cities. It has low-income households. This zone was the home of numerous first-generation immigrants. It is a breeding place of crime, gambling, sexual vice and other social deviances.
The physical deterioration, poor housing and social disorganization lead to the concentration of poverty, juvenile delinquency, family disintegration and diseases. The second concentric zone tends to be transitory in nature, comprising an area of residential deterioration due to congestion and encroachment.
- Lower Working-Class Residence
Basically, it is a planned residential area, close to places of economic activity which often shift and moved to the outward rings. Being close to the transition zone is influenced by that zone, in terms of quality of life. It reflects the negative impact of industrial pollution and the cultural impact of slums. The subsequent outward rings of working-class residences are occupied by middle or higher-class residences.
- Middle-Class Residence
These may be separated into different rings in terms of class character and corresponding facilities. This is a residential area with all the modern amenities of civic society. The houses are spacious in a pollution-free zone. Sanitation, health facilities and all other requirements of a good quality of life are found here. Proper transportation, communication and parking facilities are added features of this residential zone. The above features of this concentric zone clearly indicate a particular class character.
- Commuter Zone
It is located in the outermost concentric zone, beyond the area of higher-class residence. This is a ring of encircling small cities, towns, and hamlets which taken together constitute the commuter zone. People from these areas commute on a daily basis towards the CBD or commercial centre for employment and business purposes but live in their small cities, towns and hamlets. Commuter zone is characterized by low density. It is relatively isolated and located in suburbs and satellite towns.
Limitations and Criticisms of the Concentric zone model
The concentric zone model is one of the simplest models available. This model accounts for the economic forces which drive development and the study of patterns present at the time of the study. But with the evolution and passage of time urban areas grew more complex and this model cannot define the development of existing cities. Some of the limitations and criticism include
- Although widely appreciated in the United States, Burgess’s model is not applicable outside the US. This is so, because the pattern of growth is different because of various circumstances.
- The relevance of this model decreased over time. With the advancement in the mode of transportation, mass transit vehicles and motor vehicles changed the way people commute. Accordingly, their preference for living in a particular zone changed.
- It does not take into account the effect of political forces and the restrictions imposed by the government for the improvement of living conditions.
- In reality, no distinct zones and boundaries exist as overlapping of areas is possible in every town. The preference of people changes over time depending on the importance they associate for a particular benefit.
- This model is not applicable to polycentric cities as many CDB exists in such towns. Moreover, every city is different, and the factors influencing the growth of a city are diverse.