The Burgess Model, also known as the Concentric Zone Model, was developed by sociologist Ernest W. Burgess in 1925 to illustrate city growth and urban structure. It depicts the city as consisting of five concentric zones that expand outward from the center. Here’s a diagrammatic representation of the model along with the descriptions of the five zones:
Zone V
Commuter Zone
(Suburbs and Exurbs)
Zone IV
Middle-Class Residential
(Suburban homes and apartments)
Zone III
Working-Class Residential
(Lower-middle-class housing)
Zone II
Zone of Transition
(Mixed-use areas, industrial, low-income housing)
Zone I
Central Business District
(CBD)
Descriptions of the Zones:
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Zone I - Central Business District (CBD):
- This area is the economic heart of the city, characterized by high land values, tall buildings, offices, shops, and limited residential space.
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Zone II - Zone of Transition:
- This is a mixed-use area surrounding the CBD, often home to deteriorating housing, industry, and low-income residents. It serves as a buffer zone between the CBD and residential areas.
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Zone III - Working-Class Residential:
- Comprising older homes and apartments, this zone accommodates the working-class population. Housing here is typically more affordable but often in less desirable condition.
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Zone IV - Middle-Class Residential:
- This zone features more spacious and better-quality homes, predominantly occupied by middle-class families. It includes established neighborhoods and residential areas that are further out from the city center.
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Zone V - Commuter Zone:
- The outermost zone consists of suburbs and exurbs where residents commute to the city for work. This zone often includes single-family homes and more green space compared to inner zones.
This model reflects urban social structures and land use patterns in early 20th-century American cities and is primarily relevant to cities undergoing industrialization.