Inverse Concentric Zone Theory

 

Introduction: It was first conceptualized by Friedrich Engels in the mid-19^th century. Engels observed that the population of Manchester, England in 884 was residentially segregated on the basis of class. The preceding three theories of urban spatial structure apply only primarily to the cities of the MDCs .Many cities in the LDC follow different patterns rather than the preceding theories. Inverse Concentric Zone pattern is the reversal of the concentric zone model and one of the frequent pattern applicable in the cities of the LDCs. In cities of LDC, the central area is the place of residence of the elite class. The poor live on the periphery. Unlike most cities in the MDCs, social class in these places is inversely related to distance from the center of the city.

Explanation

It is the reversal of the concentric zone model which means instead of the rich moving away from central city, poor are moving away from central city. Social status is related to distance from center of the city and declines with increasing distance from the center.

Reason for this pattern:

a.      Lack of an adequate and dependable transportation system has restricted the elites to the center of the city so they have to close to their places of work.

b.     Functions of the city primarily administrative and religious/ cultural are controlled by the elite and are concentrated in the center of the city.

As many of the LDCs have begun to industrialize especially in the past 30 years, industrial growth have been primarily oriented in the cities center just as they were in the MDCs many decades ago. But, the newer and larger industrial establishments tend to locate not in the city centers but on the periphery often in industrial peaks or enterprises zones established by the government for the purpose of attracting both domestic and foreign investors because:

a.      City centers tend to be crowded for industrial plants.

b.     Elites in the city centers often do not wan large industrial plants near their place of work and residence.