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560 Unit 5 Social Change
and away from the central cities. (See Figure 16.11.) Peripheral theory brings
“Men come together in cities in order to live. They remain together in order to live the good life.
Aristotle Greek philospher
urban growth research up to date.
Which of these theories of city growth is correct? As suggested ear- lier, no single theory covers the dynamics of city growth for all cities. But each theory emphasizes the importance of certain factors that cannot be overlooked by anyone interested in city growth.
❖ Concentric zone theory emphasizes the fact that growth in any one area of a city is largely influenced by politics and economics. According to this theory, the distribution of space is heavily influenced by those with the money to buy the land they want for the purposes they have in mind.
❖ Sector theorists have also contributed to an understanding of urban growth. As they have noted, transportation routes have a strong influence on cities. Decisions about the placement of railroad lines had important effects on the growth of cities in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Highways and major streets have an even larger impact now.
❖ Although multiple nuclei theory is vague in its predictions, the types of geographic and historical factors it emphasizes are also important for understanding any specific city.
❖ Peripheral theory has brought urban growth research up to date by emphasizing the development of suburbs around the central city.
Section 4 Assessment
1. Provide a brief description of each of the following zones.
a. central business district d. zone in transition
b. commuters’ zone e. zone of workingmen’s homes
c. residential zone
2. What is the driving force behind the sector theory?
3. Why is the multiple nuclei theory considered more flexible than the
concentric zone theory or the sector theory?
Critical Thinking
4. SummarizingInformation Summarizetheevolutionofcities, focusing on the differences between life in preindustrial cities and life in industrial and suburban cities.
5. Applying Concepts Discuss the major contributions the four theories of city growth have made to our understanding of city growth.
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