After studying the concentric zone model, sector model, multiple-nuclei model, and the peripheral model of internal geography in cities, describe what your ideal urban area would look like. What patterns apply to the city in which you live? Which would you prefer to suit your life and why? Explain and give a few examples.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
An ideal urban area, based on the strengths of the concentric zone model, sector model, multiple-nuclei model, and peripheral model, would blend elements of each to promote efficiency, accessibility, and livability.
Ideal Urban Area Description:
My ideal city would incorporate the multiple-nuclei model at its core, with several centers of activity such as business districts, educational zones, healthcare hubs, and entertainment areas. This decentralization would reduce congestion in a single central business district (CBD) and offer residents access to amenities closer to home. Around each nucleus, zoning would follow the sector model, where residential areas, industries, and transportation corridors extend in wedges to optimize land use. Public transit would link each nucleus to enhance mobility.
The concentric zone model would inform the structure around each nucleus, with the central area as a hub of commerce and subsequent rings of transition zones, middle-class housing, and finally commuter zones. The peripheral model would guide suburban development, with edge cities offering jobs and services outside the urban core, reducing the need for long commutes.
Patterns in My City:
In the city I live in, the sector model is quite evident. Major roads and railways radiate from downtown, and land uses like commercial strips and industry follow these corridors. Residential areas tend to align with income levels, with wealthier neighborhoods along certain sectors and lower-income areas concentrated along others.
Preferred Model for My Life:
I would prefer the multiple-nuclei model blended with peripheral development, as it supports a more balanced lifestyle. Having multiple activity centers reduces commute times, promotes local economies, and spreads out traffic congestion. For example, having a healthcare center, shopping district, and park within my local area would provide convenience and improve quality of life.
In conclusion, combining these models allows for a dynamic, functional, and livable urban area. The multiple-nuclei approach especially supports modern life, where decentralization and accessibility are key to urban well-being.
