concentric zone theory, park and burgess

• concentric zone theory, Park and Burgess

  • depicted the city as a series of concentric circles
  • each zone had its own cultural and social life. natural rather than planned or fixed
  • cities grew outwards in a series of concentric circles
• Zone 1

  Mainly business district, high value properties, small tight knit residential population, various workers
• Zone 2

  In transition, rapid change, slum/semi-slum, poor, inadequate run down housing, immigration, high rates of poverty and ill-health, constantly moving and restless due to inhabitants being temporary, 'social disorganisation'
• Zone 3

  Residential area, better housing than zone 2, immigrants that have established themselves in the Chicago area moved here, working class housing
• Zone 4

  Further away from the zone in transition, middle class, edge of the city, homes most likely owned by families with professional jobs
• Zone 5


  Suburban area, very affluent and slightly outside city, commuter zone