Urban land use – the Burgess model.
05/15/2024
STARTER:
1. Why do settlements change over time?
2. How do changes in a settlement effect the people
that live there?
CHALLENGE:
Why do you think Dubai has changed so much over time? What are the
reasons behind the changes?
Urban land use – the Burgess model. 05/15/2024
The Burgess model was created by Ernest
Burgess in 1925 (an old model!). It shows
the structure of a city in an MEDC.
The CBD (central business district) is in
the centre where there are many shops,
businesses and transport networks.
As the model moves outwards, the city
becomes more residential – this is in 3
sections.
TASK:
Make notes on each section of the Burgess
model using your diagram and the
information on the following slides.
Urban land use – the Burgess model. 05/15/2024
CBD – CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
The Central Business District is the commercial centre of an urban area. It contains the
main shops, offices and financial institutions of the urban area. It is usually the most
accessible (easy to get to) part of the city. This is because most of the main transport
routes lead here. Due to high land values, buildings tend to be tall, and building density
is high.
Urban land use – the Burgess model. 05/15/2024
INDUSTRIAL ZONE
In this area, there is old industrial housing, often terraced, and industry.
These areas would have been constructed in the industrial revolution.
These areas might also consist of retail parks (areas of shops) and old
factories that are no longer working, they often look derelict.
Urban land use – the Burgess model. 05/15/2024
INNER SUBURBS
This is an area of residential housing. The houses are mainly terraced and have a
lack of driveways. This is because when these houses were built during the
industrial revolution, people didn’t have cars. Now, it can cause congestion due to
on-street parking. The houses are old working houses for those that worked in the
factories in the industrial zone. In this area, there are often small convenience
shops.
Urban land use – the Burgess model. 05/15/2024
OUTER SUBURBS
This area also contains residential housing but these houses were built between
1918 and 1945 (later than the previous area). Often, the houses here are semi-
detached and many are in council estates (property is owned by the local council
and individuals rent from them at a low cost). These houses begin to have
driveways and bigger gardens at the back of the house. There is more green space
and more convenience shops and cafes etc.
Urban land use – the Burgess model. 05/15/2024
MODERN SUBURBS
This area is where the most expensive housing in the city is located. The largest
houses with the biggest gardens and open spaces are here. Most of the houses will
have large driveways and may have a lovely view of the countryside. Due to
being located on the rural-urban fringe, these houses are desired by many. Most
of these houses are detached.
Urban land use – the Burgess model. 05/15/2024
TASK:
Add the following key words into the correct
boxes.
Detached. No driveways.
Old/new factories.
Large garden space. Businesses.
Lots of transport networks.
Semi-detached.
Built during the industrial revolution.
Terraced housing.
CHALLENGE: Lots of shops of different varieties.
Can you add any of your own Often council houses.
Large driveways.
words into the boxes to describe
Most expensive housing.
the zones of the Burgess Model? Can sometimes become derelict.
Urban land use – the Burgess model. 05/15/2024
Exam question practice
Describe and explain the 5 zones of the Burgess model.
