7 Urban Models Every APHG Student Must Know! [AP Human Geography Unit 6 Topic 5]

Summary

This video script provides an in-depth review of seven urban geography models essential for AP Human Geography students. Starting with a refresher on bid rent theory, the video progresses through models like Burgess's concentric zone, Hoyt's sector, and the multiple nuclei model, highlighting how each reflects the spatial layout and land use patterns influenced by factors like transportation, technology, and economic activities. The script also discusses how historical events like colonization have shaped city layouts in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, and how rapid urbanization has led to the emergence of informal settlements in these regions. The overview concludes with the Southeast Asian model, emphasizing the importance of ports and government roles in city development. The video aims to aid understanding of urban geography, offering resources for further study and exam preparation.

Takeaways

• 📍 The bid rent theory explains how land use changes as you move away from the Central Business District (CBD), with land becoming cheaper and buildings becoming less dense.
• 🏙️ The Burgess concentric zone model outlines the city structure with a CBD, transition zone, working-class homes, better residence zone, and commuter zone, but has become outdated due to urban changes.
• 🚂 Hoyt's sector model emphasizes the importance of transportation in city development, with economic activities centered around transportation routes, but has also become less relevant with changes in transport systems.
• 🌟 The Harrison and Almond multiple nuclei model highlights the presence of multiple CBDs and a complex spatial layout with different activities and services gravitating to specific nodes.
• 🌌 The galactic model (peripheral model) depicts a post-industrial city with a service-based economy, acknowledging edge cities and robust infrastructure systems, like the city of Atlanta.
• 🏛️ The Latin American city model reflects the influence of European colonization, with a central plaza surrounded by government and religious buildings, and a distinct spatial layout across different cities in the region.
• 🏙️ The sub-Saharan African city model shows the impact of European colonization with a grid pattern urban layout, featuring a colonial CBD, traditional CBD, and informal CBD or Market Zone.
• 🏞️ Shanty towns and squatter settlements are found on the outskirts of cities in sub-Saharan Africa, a legacy of colonial era and continued urbanization.
• 🚢 The Southeast Asian city model is centered around a port due to geographical factors, colonial trading history, and rapid urbanization, with a focus on port-based commerce and government involvement.
• 🏘️ Residential areas in Southeast Asian cities are not strictly separated by socioeconomic class, with suburban areas located next to squatter settlements, showing a mix of different income levels.
• 🌾 Agricultural and newer industrial production are located outside the city in the Southeast Asian model, reflecting the city's development and economic activities.

Q & A

What is the bid rent theory and how does it impact urban land use patterns?

The bid rent theory explains that as you move farther away from the Central Business District (CBD), land becomes cheaper. This affects the spatial layout of settlements and the way land and buildings are used. Areas closer to the CBD have more buildings close together and expand upwards, while areas farther away expand horizontally and are more dispersed. The theory helps us understand the location of different industries and land use patterns in a city.

How does the Burgess concentric model depict the structure of a city?

The Burgess concentric model represents a city as a series of concentric zones centered around the CBD. Starting from the center, there are the CBD, followed by the zone of transition with older homes and lower-income residents, then the working-class homes, the better residence zone with newer homes, and finally the commuter zone for people living outside city limits and commuting to work.

What are the key differences between the Hoyt sector model and the Burgess concentric model?

The Hoyt sector model differs from the Burgess concentric model in its focus on transportation and the development of the city in sectors or wedges centered around specific sections. It is often influenced by economic and environmental factors, with industries and businesses locating near transportation routes for better access and shipping efficiency.

How does the Harrison and Almond multiple nuclei model differ from previous urban models?

The Harrison and Almond multiple nuclei model introduces the concept of multiple CBDs and a more complex spatial layout. It suggests that different activities, services, people, businesses, and organizations are attracted to or repelled from specific nodes, leading to a less centralized urban structure.

What is the galactic model and how does it relate to the concept of edge cities?

The galactic model, also known as the peripheral model, was developed in the 1960s and focuses on post-industrial cities where the economy is more service-based. It acknowledges the existence of edge cities, which are located outside city limits and are connected to the main city through robust infrastructure systems like beltways or highways.

How does the Latin American city model reflect the influence of European colonization?

The Latin American city model shows the impact of European colonization through the central Plaza or Square surrounded by government and religious buildings. This reflects the Conquistadors' belief in putting God at the focus of society, leading to a consistent spatial layout across different cities in Latin America.

What are the three distinct CBDs in the sub-Saharan African city model?

The sub-Saharan African city model has three CBDs: the colonial CBD which is the historic core with mixed-use buildings and narrow streets; the traditional CBD with vendors and low-rise buildings; and the informal CBD or Market Zone consisting of informal markets and manufacturers.

How does the Southeast Asian city model differ from other models in terms of its central focus?

The Southeast Asian city model differs from other models by not having a traditional CBD. Instead, the city is centered around a port due to geographical factors, the city's development as a trading post during the colonial era, and the need for efficient goods transportation.

What is the demographic transition model mentioned in the context of sub-Saharan African cities?

The demographic transition model is a theoretical framework that describes the transition from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a country develops from a pre-industrial to an industrialized economic state. In the context of sub-Saharan African cities, it is mentioned to explain the high urbanization rates and population growth leading to the expansion of informal settlements.

How does the concept of special economic zones relate to the Southeast Asian city model?

In the Southeast Asian city model, the concept of special economic zones is related to the alien commercial zones that stem from the port and extend into the city. These zones were created to promote trade and investment from Western countries and often allow the government to play a key role in the city's commerce, culture, and social activity, as well as to monitor foreign commerce and influence.

What are the main factors contributing to the growth of informal settlements like shanty towns and favelas in various city models?

The growth of informal settlements in various city models is primarily due to increased urbanization rates, a lack of available housing resources, and the search for better economic opportunities in urban areas. These settlements often emerge on the outskirts of cities and continue to expand as countries experience population growth and rural-to-urban migration.