What city is the Burgess model based on?

The Windy City’s Secret: How Chicago Inspired a Famous Urban Model

Ever wonder how cities grow and why certain neighborhoods end up where they are? Back in 1925, a smart cookie named Ernest Burgess came up with a theory to explain it all, and it’s become a cornerstone of how we understand urban life. This theory, the Burgess model (or concentric zone model if you’re feeling fancy), wasn’t just pulled out of thin air. It was based on a real place, a bustling, booming metropolis: Chicago.

Yep, the Windy City itself was the muse for Burgess’s famous rings. As a professor at the University of Chicago, Burgess had a front-row seat to the city’s explosive growth in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Chicago was a magnet for immigrants, a hub of industry, and a place where fortunes were made and lost. All this rapid change created distinct areas within the city, and Burgess wanted to make sense of it all.

So, what did he see? Imagine a bullseye, with downtown Chicago at the very center. That’s the Central Business District (CBD), the heart of the action, packed with businesses and skyscrapers.

Right next to it? Things get a little grittier. That’s the Transition Zone, a mixed bag of factories, rundown housing, and new arrivals trying to find their footing. Think of it as the city’s melting pot, but maybe not the prettiest part of the pot.

Moving outward, you hit the Working-Class Zone. Here, you’d find rows of modest homes, filled with families working hard to make a living. It’s the classic image of the American Dream, one small house at a time.

Keep going, and you’ll find yourself in the Residential Zone, with nicer houses and more breathing room. This is where the middle class settled, enjoying a bit more comfort and stability.

Finally, at the very edge of the city, you’ve got the Commuter Zone. Think suburbs, with folks hopping on trains and cars to get into the city for work. A longer commute, sure, but you get a bigger yard and a quieter life.

Burgess figured that cities grow like this, with each inner ring pushing outwards. The further you got from the city center, the wealthier the residents tended to be. Made sense, right? Better housing usually meant a longer trek to work.

Now, here’s the thing: the Burgess model isn’t perfect. Not every city follows this pattern exactly. What worked for Chicago back then might not work for, say, Tokyo or even modern-day Los Angeles. Things like highways, natural barriers (like mountains or rivers), and different kinds of industries can throw a wrench in the works.

Even so, Burgess’s model is still a big deal. It gave us a starting point for understanding how cities evolve and how different social groups end up in different places. It also shined a light on how our surroundings can affect things like crime rates and overall well-being. So next time you’re exploring a city, take a look around and see if you can spot those Burgess rings. You might be surprised at what you find!