Hoyt Sector Model

Definition

The Hoyt Sector Model is an urban land use model proposed by economist Homer Hoyt in 1939, which suggests that a city develops in sectors rather than concentric circles. This model emphasizes how transportation routes and environmental factors influence the spatial organization of urban areas, showing that certain types of land use, like industrial and residential zones, extend outwards along major transportation corridors.

Case Studies

• In Chicago, industrial areas developed along the river and rail lines, extending outward in a sector while residential areas expanded along different radii from the city center.
• London exhibits sectors shaped by its main transportation routes, with high-income residential areas spreading outwards along commuter train lines.

Impact

The Sector Model influences urban planning by highlighting the importance of transportation routes in shaping urban growth. It affects housing development patterns and property values. Planners may use this model to predict future expansion and manage urban sprawl, guiding infrastructural investments and zoning decisions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Hoyt Sector Model divides the city into various sectors that radiate out from the central business district (CBD) along transportation routes, such as railroads and highways.
2. This model suggests that socio-economic status influences residential patterns, with higher-income groups typically residing in sectors farther from the industrial areas.
3. Hoyt’s model illustrates how certain land uses, like factories and warehouses, cluster along major transportation corridors to facilitate access and distribution.
4. Unlike the Concentric Zone Model, which proposes uniform rings of development, the Hoyt Sector Model accounts for the impact of specific routes and physical barriers on urban growth.
5. The model has been applied to various cities globally, demonstrating how different urban environments adopt similar patterns of development based on transportation and land use.

Review Questions

• How does the Hoyt Sector Model differ from the Concentric Zone Model in explaining urban land use?
  • The Hoyt Sector Model differs from the Concentric Zone Model by suggesting that cities grow in sectors radiating out from a central business district along transportation routes rather than in concentric circles. While the Concentric Zone Model portrays uniform rings of land use based on socio-economic status, the Hoyt Sector Model emphasizes the influence of specific transportation corridors and environmental factors on the location of industrial and residential areas. This approach provides a more nuanced understanding of urban development patterns.
• In what ways do transportation routes influence land use patterns according to the Hoyt Sector Model?
  • Transportation routes significantly influence land use patterns in the Hoyt Sector Model by determining where different sectors develop within a city. For instance, industrial areas often locate along railroads or highways for ease of access and distribution, while residential neighborhoods tend to extend outward from these sectors along the same routes. This model illustrates that cities are shaped not just by socio-economic factors but also by the physical infrastructure that supports movement and commerce.
• Evaluate the applicability of the Hoyt Sector Model to modern cities facing challenges like gentrification and urban sprawl.
  • The Hoyt Sector Model remains relevant in analyzing modern cities as it provides insights into how transportation networks shape urban growth amidst challenges like gentrification and urban sprawl. For instance, as higher-income residents move into previously industrial sectors due to improved accessibility, gentrification occurs, transforming neighborhoods and often displacing lower-income populations. Furthermore, urban sprawl reflects how sectors expand beyond traditional city boundaries, influenced by highways and public transit systems. Understanding these dynamics helps policymakers address issues related to equitable development and resource allocation.

Related terms

Concentric Zone Model:

A theory of urban land use that divides the city into concentric rings, with different zones for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes.

Urbanization:

The process by which rural areas transform into urban areas as a result of population growth and economic development.

Gentrification:

The process in which urban neighborhoods are transformed through an influx of higher-income residents, often leading to the displacement of lower-income residents.