What does the concentric zone model primarily illustrate?

The concentric zone model primarily illustrates the distribution of various land uses in a city. This model, developed by sociologist Ernest Burgess in the 1920s, depicts urban areas as a series of concentric circles or zones that radiate outward from the central business district. Each zone represents different types of land use, such as residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational areas.

The model suggests that urban growth occurs in a pattern where each zone develops outward from the center, which helps to understand how socioeconomic factors influence residential patterns, with inner zones typically occupied by lower-income populations and outer zones housing higher-income residents. This framework assists in analyzing urban structures, trends in land use, and the migration patterns of populations within cities.

While the growth of urban areas over time, demographic transitions, and transportation networks are important aspects of urban geography, they are not the primary focus of the concentric zone model. The model specifically targets land use distribution, making it a crucial reference for urban studies and planning.