Hoyt Model

Definition

The Hoyt Model, also known as the Sector Model, is an urban land use model developed by economist Homer Hoyt in 1939. It describes the arrangement of different socio-economic groups within a city, suggesting that urban areas grow in sectors radiating out from the central business district (CBD) along transportation corridors. This model emphasizes the impact of transportation on urban structure and land use, illustrating how certain sectors develop based on accessibility and economic activities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Hoyt Model suggests that cities develop in wedge-shaped sectors rather than concentric circles, with each sector serving different socio-economic groups.
2. Transportation routes play a crucial role in determining the growth and development patterns of urban areas in the Hoyt Model.
3. This model highlights how higher-income groups tend to reside further from the CBD, often along desirable sectors influenced by parks or waterfronts.
4. The Hoyt Model was one of the first to incorporate transportation considerations into urban planning, influencing future urban land use theories.
5. While still relevant, the Hoyt Model has been critiqued for oversimplifying urban dynamics and not accounting for modern complexities such as gentrification and changes in transportation technology.

Review Questions

• How does the Hoyt Model differ from the concentric zone model in explaining urban land use?
  • The Hoyt Model differs from the concentric zone model by proposing that cities develop in wedge-shaped sectors rather than uniform circles around a central point. While the concentric zone model suggests that socio-economic groups are arranged in layers with the CBD at the core, the Hoyt Model indicates that various sectors radiate outward based on transportation routes and economic factors. This allows for a more nuanced understanding of how certain industries and residential areas are aligned along major transit corridors.
• Discuss the implications of transportation in shaping urban structure according to the Hoyt Model.
  • According to the Hoyt Model, transportation is a key factor that influences urban structure by determining where different socio-economic groups settle. The model shows that areas near major transportation routes tend to attract higher-income residents and businesses due to better accessibility. This results in distinct wedges or sectors developing alongside these routes, highlighting how transport infrastructure can dictate economic activity and residential patterns within a city.
• Evaluate how contemporary urban issues such as gentrification and zoning laws interact with the principles outlined in the Hoyt Model.
  • Contemporary urban issues like gentrification and zoning laws illustrate both continuities and changes from the principles outlined in the Hoyt Model. Gentrification can shift socio-economic demographics within established sectors as higher-income groups move in, often displacing long-time residents. Meanwhile, zoning laws can enforce or challenge these sector patterns by controlling land use and development. Evaluating these interactions reveals that while the Hoyt Model provides foundational insights into urban land use, modern complexities require a broader understanding of socio-political dynamics impacting city growth.

Related terms

Central Business District (CBD): The commercial and business center of a city, characterized by high land values and a concentration of retail stores, offices, and cultural institutions.

Urban Sprawl: The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land, often leading to increased traffic, environmental degradation, and loss of agricultural land.

Zoning: The process by which local governments regulate land use by designating specific areas for residential, commercial, industrial, or other uses to manage urban growth and development.