The Underpinning Theory: Burgess's Concentric Zone Model
Part of Human Geography Fieldwork — GCSE Geography
This deep dive covers The Underpinning Theory: Burgess's Concentric Zone Model within Human Geography Fieldwork for GCSE Geography. Revise Human Geography Fieldwork in Fieldwork for GCSE Geography with 0 exam-style questions and 20 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 2 of 14 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
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Section 2 of 14
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0 questions
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20 flashcards
🔍 The Underpinning Theory: Burgess's Concentric Zone Model
Before collecting any data, good fieldwork starts with a theory — a prediction about what you expect to find and why. For human fieldwork in urban areas, that theory is almost always the Concentric Zone Model, developed by Ernest Burgess in 1924 from his study of Chicago. Even though the model is a century old, it still provides the framework for most urban fieldwork hypotheses at GCSE.
Burgess argued that cities grow outward from the centre in a series of concentric rings, each dominated by a different land use and population group. Understanding the model tells you what to expect at each point along your transect — and allows you to explain your results rather than just describe them.
The core of the city. Land values are highest here because accessibility is greatest — everyone can reach the centre by multiple transport routes. As a result, only land uses that can afford the highest rents survive: offices, department stores, banks, entertainment venues, restaurants. Buildings tend to be tall. There is very little residential housing because land is too expensive to use for homes. Pedestrian density is very high during working and shopping hours. The environment quality may actually score low on some criteria — noise, traffic congestion, litter — despite being economically successful.
Immediately surrounding the CBD, this zone is characterised by older, often Victorian industrial buildings and terraced housing built for factory workers. This is the most deprived zone. Environmental quality tends to score lowest here: buildings are older and in poorer repair, green space is minimal, and air quality suffers from proximity to both the CBD and industrial remnants. In many UK cities, this zone has been partially transformed by gentrification and regeneration, which can produce anomalies in your data — unexpected high quality pockets in an otherwise low-scoring zone.
Moving outward, housing improves gradually. Streets are quieter, buildings are slightly newer, and there is more green space in the form of gardens and small parks. The Burgess model predicts that residents here are of middling income — able to afford better housing than the inner city but not the outer suburbs. Environmental quality scores begin to improve at this distance from the centre.
Newer, larger housing — often semi-detached or detached — with bigger gardens. Residents tend to be higher income, able to afford both the better housing and the transport costs of commuting to the centre. Pedestrian counts are low because car ownership is high. Environmental quality is typically high: streets are clean, buildings well-maintained, green space abundant.
The edge of the city. Land use here is mixed: large retail parks, business parks, out-of-town supermarkets, golf courses, and finally farmland. Environmental quality scores can be high for green space but low for aesthetic quality due to the dominance of car-oriented development. This zone lies beyond most urban transects.
The model makes a clear prediction: as you move outward from the CBD, environmental quality should generally increase — a pattern geographers call a negative correlation between distance from the centre and deprivation. Your fieldwork tests whether this prediction holds in reality, and you are expected to explain any anomalies (places where the pattern breaks down) using your knowledge of local context.
Limitations of the model to know for evaluation: Burgess developed it from 1920s Chicago, a rapidly growing North American city. UK cities — with their medieval cores, post-war council estates, and recent gentrification — do not always follow the same pattern. The model is a simplified abstraction, not a literal description of any real city.
Quick Check: According to Burgess's Concentric Zone Model, which zone typically has the lowest environmental quality? Give two reasons why.
Zone 2 — the inner city (transition zone) — typically scores lowest. Reason 1: buildings are older (often Victorian industrial or terraced housing) and in poorer repair than other zones. Reason 2: green space is minimal and noise/air pollution are high due to proximity to the busy CBD and legacy industrial land uses. Note: anomalies exist where gentrification has improved specific inner-city streets.