A spatial model suggesting that urban areas develop with numerous centers of business and residential districts rather than a single central business district. These nuclei arise because of factors such as the clustering of similar activities, the repulsion of dissimilar activities, and variations in land values. An example includes the development of suburban business parks concentrated near highway interchanges, separate from the traditional downtown area, attracting related industries and services.
This model provides a more realistic representation of complex urban landscapes than earlier, simpler models. It acknowledges the decentralization of cities and the increasing importance of suburban areas as employment and commercial centers. This understanding helps in analyzing urban growth patterns, transportation networks, and the distribution of resources and services within a metropolitan area. Historically, its emergence reflects the increasing car dependency and the specialization of urban functions following post-World War II suburban expansion.