This urban model, developed by economist Homer Hoyt in 1939, posits that cities develop in sectors or wedges, rather than concentric zones. Specific land uses tend to extend outward from the city center along transportation routes. A high-income residential sector, for instance, might develop along a corridor with attractive amenities, while a manufacturing sector might concentrate along a river or railway line. The model acknowledges the influence of transportation and accessibility on urban development patterns, offering a more nuanced perspective compared to earlier models.
The value of this model lies in its ability to explain how transportation corridors and land value influence the spatial organization of cities. It provides a framework for understanding the clustering of similar activities in specific areas. Historically, it emerged as a critique of the concentric zone model, aiming to provide a more realistic depiction of urban growth. Its benefits are evident in its ability to depict the impact of infrastructure on shaping urban landscapes and how economic factors lead to uneven distribution of different sectors.
