Peripheral model

Definition

The peripheral model is an urban structure theory that suggests cities consist of a central area surrounded by various peripheral zones, including residential neighborhoods, industrial parks, and commercial districts. This model highlights the relationship between urban areas and their surrounding regions, emphasizing how economic activities and population tend to spread out from the city center to the periphery, often leading to decentralized urban growth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The peripheral model was developed by Chauncy Harris and Edward Ullman in the 1940s as a way to explain the changing patterns of urban development in American cities post-World War II.
2. In this model, the city is typically structured with a central core, surrounded by various zones that include both residential areas and commercial activities, reflecting the shift towards decentralized living.
3. Suburbanization is a key aspect of the peripheral model, as it illustrates how populations increasingly move away from city centers in search of larger homes and more space.
4. Transportation infrastructure, such as highways and public transit systems, plays a crucial role in facilitating the growth of peripheral areas by improving access to both urban centers and suburban neighborhoods.
5. The peripheral model is often contrasted with the concentric zone model and sector model, which emphasize different spatial arrangements and growth patterns in urban environments.

Review Questions

• How does the peripheral model explain the relationship between urban centers and surrounding areas?
  • The peripheral model explains that urban centers are not isolated but rather interconnected with their surrounding areas through various zones that accommodate different functions like residential, commercial, and industrial. It shows how economic activities spread outward from the central area to these peripheries, creating a more decentralized urban landscape. This movement reflects changes in population distribution and land use as people seek more space outside dense urban environments.
• Evaluate the impact of transportation infrastructure on the development of peripheral areas according to the peripheral model.
  • Transportation infrastructure significantly influences the development of peripheral areas by providing essential connectivity between urban centers and suburban zones. Highways and public transit systems enable easy access to jobs, services, and amenities located in both the city center and its periphery. This connectivity encourages population growth in suburban neighborhoods while fostering economic activities outside traditional city boundaries, ultimately reinforcing the decentralized nature depicted by the peripheral model.
• Synthesize how the peripheral model relates to contemporary urban issues such as urban sprawl and environmental sustainability.
  • The peripheral model is closely related to contemporary urban issues like urban sprawl, as it illustrates how cities expand outward into rural areas due to factors like housing demand and transportation accessibility. This unchecked expansion can lead to challenges such as increased traffic congestion, loss of agricultural land, and environmental degradation. Addressing these issues requires understanding how the peripheral model shapes urban development patterns while also seeking sustainable solutions that promote denser living arrangements and efficient land use without sacrificing green spaces.

Related terms

Central Business District (CBD): The CBD is the commercial and business center of a city, typically characterized by high land values, tall buildings, and a concentration of businesses and services.

Urban Sprawl: Urban sprawl refers to the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into the surrounding rural land, often resulting in low-density development and increased reliance on automobiles.

Edge Cities:

Edge cities are suburban developments that have emerged outside traditional urban centers, featuring a concentration of office space, retail establishments, and entertainment options.