Urban Geography: Models, Theories, and City Structures

Posted on Mar 15, 2026 in Geography

Core–Periphery Model

  • Core: Wealthy, developed regions with advanced technology, strong infrastructure, and high incomes. Example: New York City.
  • Semi-Periphery: Moderately developed regions with growing industry and economy. Examples: Brazil, Mexico.
  • Periphery: Less developed regions with limited industry and infrastructure. Examples: Ethiopia, Haiti.
  • The core dominates the economy, the semi-periphery develops, and the periphery depends on others.

Urban Growth Vocabulary

  • Exurb: Residential area beyond suburbs where people commute long distances. Example: Outskirts of Atlanta.
  • Boomburb: Fast-growing suburb with over 100,000 people and no major downtown. Example: Mesa.
  • Urban Sprawl: Uncontrolled city expansion characterized by low-density housing, heavy car use, and separated land uses. Example: Growth around Los Angeles.
  • Edge City: A concentration of business, shopping, and offices located outside a traditional downtown. Example: Tysons.

Primate City and Rank-Size Rule

  • Primate City: A city much larger than others that dominates the economy and politics. Examples: Bangkok, Paris.
    • Strengths: Economic concentration, efficient services.
    • Weaknesses: Regional inequality, overcrowding.
  • Rank-Size Rule: The 2nd largest city is ½ the size of the largest; the 3rd largest is ⅓ the size. Example: United States.
    • Strength: Balanced urban system.
    • Weakness: Less common in developing countries.

Gravity Model

Predicts interaction between cities based on size, distance, and function. Example: New York City ↔ Boston.

Central Place Theory (Walter Christaller)

  • Explains how cities and services are distributed.
  • Central Place: Provides goods and services to the surrounding area.
  • Threshold: The minimum population required to support a business (Low: grocery; High: airport).
  • Range: The maximum distance people will travel for goods.
  • High Range/Threshold: Airports, universities, luxury hospitals. Example: Heathrow Airport.
  • Low Range/Threshold: Grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies. Example: Walmart.

Internal Structure of Cities

Urban models explain housing, transport, and business land use. Cities evolve due to technology, transport, and economy; no model is perfect.

Bid Rent Theory

  • Land value decreases as distance from the CBD increases.
  • Businesses locate near the CBD for access to customers and transport. Example CBD: Chicago.

Burgess Concentric Zone Model

City grows in circular rings around the CBD: 1) CBD, 2) Transition zone (industry/poor housing), 3) Working class, 4) Middle class, 5) Commuter suburbs. Example: Chicago.

Hoyt Sector Model

City grows in sectors along transport routes. Industry follows railroads/highways; high-income housing develops in desirable sectors. Example: Chicago.

Multiple Nuclei Model

Developed by Chauncy Harris and Edward Ullman. Cities have multiple activity centers, such as university, industrial, business, and airport districts. Example: Los Angeles.

Galactic City (Peripheral Model)

A modern city characterized by highways, edge cities, and suburban business centers. Example: Atlanta.

Global Urban Models

  • Latin American: CBD, commercial spine, elite housing near the center, and poor outskirts. Example: Mexico City.
  • Southeast Asian: Port-based, mixed land use, and a less organized CBD. Example: Jakarta.
  • African: Colonial CBD, ethnic neighborhoods, and informal settlements. Example: Nairobi.

Housing Density

  • Low-density: Single-family homes with large yards (suburbs). Example: Dallas suburbs.
  • Medium-density: Townhouses and small apartments.
  • High-density: Tall apartments and condos. Example: Hong Kong.

Infrastructure and Development

Roads, transport, water, electricity, and internet affect economic and social growth. Strong infrastructure leads to economic growth, while weak infrastructure slows development. Examples: Strong (Singapore), Weak (parts of Haiti).

Sustainable Urban Design

Focuses on mixed land use, walkability, transit-oriented development, and smart growth policies.

Positives of Urban Design

  • Easier access to jobs and services
  • Stronger community
  • Less travel and traffic
  • Lower fuel use and pollution
  • Higher property values
  • Urban revitalization
  • Park conservation
  • Limits urban sprawl

Criticisms

  • High housing costs
  • Possible segregation
  • Strain on infrastructure
  • Expensive mixed-use development
  • Loss of historical character
  • Preference for detached homes with yards