CONCENTRIC ZONE THEORY

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CONCENTRIC ZONE

THEORY

Lecture-04

M.A.(Semester-II)

PAPER-8

Urban Sociology

Dr. Shankar Kumar Lal

University Department of Sociology

Lalit Narayan Mithila University

Kameshwarnagar,Darbhanga

E-mail: [email protected] Mobile: +91-8252199182

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ORIGIN

 Developed in the 1920’s by Ernest Burgess and Robert Park, University of Chicago

 Hypothesis of this theory is that cities grow and develop outwardly in concentric zones.

 Sought to explain the socioeconomic divides in and out of the city

 Model was based on Chicago’s city layout  First theory to explain the distribution of

social groups

CONCENTRIC ZONE

THEORY

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CONCENTRIC ZONE THEORY….?

• Social structures extend outward from one central business area.

• Population density decreases towards outward zones

• Shows correlation between socioeconomic status and the distance from the central business district

• Also known as the Burgess Model, the Bull’s Eye Model, the Concentric Ring Model, or the Concentric Circles Model.

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ZONE 1: CENTRAL BUSINESS

DISTRICT(CBD)

• Non-residential center for business.

• “Downtown” area

• Emphasis on business and commerce

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Commercial centre

 First, the inner most ring zone or nucleolus of the city is a commercial centre also called Central Business District (CBD) in North America and western countries. This zone is characterized by high intensity of commercial, social 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.

 It is a zone of the highest intensity land use and social interaction. 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 are always in search of cheaper, spacious and pollution free accommodation way 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.

 The morphological structure of CBD is changing rapidly with our changing needs. Morphological structure of city includes buildings, roads and infrastructure.

 Study reveals that the changes in rebuilding are from Lower to higher density, higher uses and higher rents.

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ZONE 2: ZONE OF

TRANSITION

• “Least desirable place to live in the city” • Dilapidated housing and infrastructure • Large percentage rent

• Highest crime rate

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Zone of Transition

 Light Industries and slums mainly occupy this zone, may be seen in as many American cities. This zone was the home of numerous first generation immigrants. It has low income households, retrogressing neighborhoods, one room houses and homeless men. It is a breeding place of crime, gambling, sexual vice and other social deviances.

 The physical deterioration and social disorganization leads to concentration of poor housing, poverty, juvenile delinquency, family disintegration, physical and mental diseases.

 Burgess studied Chicago city and the found second concentric zone to be transitory in nature, comprising an area of residential deterioration due to congestion and encroachment. The zone surrounds the CBD area and fulfils their needs, like light industrial production and business extension houses. He also predicts that CBD will expand in this zone, as it will grow.

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ZONE 3: WORKING CLASS

• Modest older homes • Stable, working class

families

• Can afford to move out of Zone 2

• Second generation immigrants

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WORKING CLASS

It is planned residential area, close to places of economic activity which often shift and moved to the outward rings. Being close to transition zone it 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 working class residences subsequent outward ring1 rings are occupied by middle or higher-class residences. These may be separated in different rings in terms of class

character and corresponding facilities.

This is a residential area with all modern amenities of civic society. People who reside in these areas are native born Americans in single-family houses or apartments. The houses are spacious in a pollution free zone. Sanitation, health facilities and all other requirements of a good quality life are found here. Proper transportation, communication and parking facilities are an added feature of this residential zone.

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ZONE 4: MIDDLE CLASS

• Newer, more spacious homes

• Less likely to be rented

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ZONE 5: COMMUTERS

• Mostly upper class

• Can afford to commute into city for work or entertainment

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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. Later on Burgess writes that there was no circle of towns or cities in the outer concentric zone of Chicago but a

pattern of settlement existed along the railroads radiating out from CBD like -spokes of a wheel.

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REFERENCES

• Bunyi, Joan. ": Concentric Zone Model." : Concentric Zone Model. Lewis Historical Society, 1 May 2010. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. <http://www.lewishistoricalsociety.com/wiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=16>.

• Pick, Ashley. "Social Disorganization." Crime and Place. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. <http://crimeandplaceashleypick.weebly.com/social-disorganization.html>.

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