The North American models assume that the wealthy move outward. In many cities elsewhere, the pattern is different, shaped by colonial history, by where jobs and services are, and by rapid growth. Geographers built models for these regions too.
Key idea
The Latin American city model (Ernst Griffin and Larry Ford, 1980) has a CBD with a wealthy spine along a grand boulevard, rings that get poorer outward, and peripheral squatter settlements at the edge. Models of sub-Saharan African cities (Harm de Blij) show several CBDs: colonial, traditional and market. Models of Southeast Asian port cities (T. G. McGee, 1967) center on the old port, with commercial, government and market-garden zones around it.
| Model | Distinctive features |
|---|---|
| Latin American (Griffin and Ford) | Elite spine and sector with the best services; zone of maturity; zone of in situ accretion (homes improved bit by bit); peripheral squatter settlements; sometimes "disamenity" zones of very poor housing near the center |
| Sub-Saharan African (de Blij) | Three CBDs (a colonial one, a traditional one and an open-air market); ethnic and mixed neighborhoods; mining and manufacturing zones; informal settlements at the edge |
| Southeast Asian (McGee) | The old colonial port as the focus; Western and "alien" (often Chinese) commercial zones; a government zone; new suburbs, industrial parks and market gardens at the edge |
Why it works
Where cities grew fast and the government could not build housing and roads quickly enough, newcomers built their own homes on open land at the edge, often hillsides or flood plains. Meanwhile, the colonial-era center kept the best services, so the wealthy stayed near it. That reverses the U.S. pattern, where cars and highways let wealthy families move outward. Many squatter settlements grow into established neighborhoods as residents add rooms, water and electricity over the years; that is the "in situ accretion" in the model's name.
Worked example: Where do the poorest live?
In the Latin American city model, where are the newest and poorest settlements found?
- The elite spine runs out from the center.
- Rings get less established outward.
- At the outer edge are peripheral squatter settlements.
Answer: At the edge of the city.
Worked example: Compare two models
In a North American city, many high-income families live in outer suburbs. In the Latin American model, where do they live?
- The Latin American model puts the elite sector next to the CBD, along the spine.
- They live near the center, on the main boulevard.
Answer: Near the center, along the elite spine.
Common mistake
Applying the U.S. pattern everywhere. In many Latin American cities the wealthy live near the center along a main boulevard, and the poorest live at the edges. Read each city with the model built for its region, and remember that every model simplifies.