Human Geography 101: Urban Geography - Latin American African and Asian City Models GriffinFord de Blij McGee

What This Is

This study guide focuses on three influential city models in Latin America, Africa, and Asia: the Griffin-Ford model, de Blij's model, and McGee's model. These models help us understand the unique characteristics of cities in these regions, shaped by historical, cultural, and economic factors. For instance, the rapid growth of cities in East Asia, such as Seoul and Tokyo, can be attributed to the Griffin-Ford model's emphasis on the role of government policies and foreign investment in driving urbanization.

Key Models, Theories & Terms

• Griffin-Ford Model: A model that explains the rapid growth of cities in East Asia, emphasizing the role of government policies, foreign investment, and technological advancements in driving urbanization. This model is applied to cities like Seoul and Tokyo, which have experienced rapid economic growth and urbanization in recent decades.
• de Blij's Model: A model that categorizes cities in the Third World into three types: primary, secondary, and tertiary cities. Primary cities are the largest and most economically developed, while secondary cities are smaller and less developed. Tertiary cities are the smallest and most rural. This model is applied to cities in Africa and Latin America, where primary cities like Lagos and Mexico City dominate the urban landscape.
• McGee's Model: A model that categorizes cities in the Third World into three types: primate, secondary, and peripheral cities. Primate cities are the largest and most economically developed, while secondary cities are smaller and less developed. Peripheral cities are the smallest and most rural. This model is applied to cities in Southeast Asia, where primate cities like Bangkok and Jakarta dominate the urban landscape.
• Central Place Theory: A theory that explains the spacing of towns and cities based on their economic functions and the distance between them. This theory is applied to cities in the United States, where the spacing of towns and cities is influenced by factors like transportation costs and market demand.
• Rank-Size Rule: A rule that states that the size of cities in a region follows a specific pattern, with the largest city being twice as large as the second-largest city, and so on. This rule is applied to cities in the United States, where the size of cities like New York and Los Angeles is influenced by factors like economic growth and population density.
• Urban Hierarchy: A concept that describes the hierarchical structure of cities in a region, with the largest city at the top and smaller cities below. This concept is applied to cities in Africa and Latin America, where urban hierarchies are influenced by factors like economic growth and population density.
• Growth Pole Theory: A theory that explains the growth of cities and regions based on the presence of a dominant industry or economic activity. This theory is applied to cities in East Asia, where growth poles like Seoul and Tokyo have driven economic growth and urbanization in recent decades.
• Urban Sprawl: A phenomenon that describes the spread of cities and suburbs into surrounding rural areas, often driven by factors like suburbanization and urbanization. This phenomenon is applied to cities in the United States, where urban sprawl is influenced by factors like transportation costs and market demand.
• Gentrification: A process that describes the transformation of urban neighborhoods from low-income to high-income areas, often driven by factors like gentrification and urban renewal. This process is applied to cities in Europe and North America, where gentrification is influenced by factors like economic growth and population density.

Step-by-Step Application

1. Identify the type of city model that best describes a given city or region, based on factors like economic growth, population density, and urban hierarchy.
2. Analyze the urban hierarchy of a region, identifying the largest city and the smaller cities below.
3. Explain the role of government policies and foreign investment in driving urbanization, using examples like Seoul and Tokyo.
4. Describe the characteristics of a primate city, using examples like Bangkok and Jakarta.
5. Identify the dominant migration pattern in a given city or region, based on factors like economic growth and population density.
6. Explain the concept of urban sprawl, using examples like Los Angeles and New York City.

Common Misconceptions

• Misconception: All cities in the Third World are similar and follow the same urban model.
• Correction: Cities in the Third World are diverse and follow different urban models, depending on factors like economic growth, population density, and urban hierarchy.
• Misconception: Urbanization is always driven by economic growth and population density.
• Correction: Urbanization can be driven by a variety of factors, including government policies, foreign investment, and technological advancements.
• Misconception: The rank-size rule applies to every country and region.
• Correction: The rank-size rule is a general principle that applies to some cities and regions, but not all.

AP Exam / Free-Response Tips

• When answering FRQs, be sure to identify the type of city model that best describes a given city or region, and explain the characteristics of that model.
• Use examples like Seoul and Tokyo to illustrate the role of government policies and foreign investment in driving urbanization.
• Be sure to analyze the urban hierarchy of a region, identifying the largest city and the smaller cities below.
• When comparing and contrasting different city models, be sure to identify the key similarities and differences between them.
• Use the concept of urban sprawl to explain the spread of cities and suburbs into surrounding rural areas.

Quick Practice Scenario

A megacity in a developing country grows rapidly as rural residents move in for factory jobs. Identify the dominant migration pattern and one likely urban model that describes its structure.

Answer: The dominant migration pattern is likely chain migration, and the urban model that describes its structure is the primate city model.

Explanation: Chain migration is a type of migration where people move from one place to another in a chain-like pattern, often driven by economic factors. The primate city model is a type of urban model that describes the growth of a single large city, often driven by economic growth and population density.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• Griffin-Ford Model: A model that explains the rapid growth of cities in East Asia, emphasizing the role of government policies, foreign investment, and technological advancements.
• de Blij's Model: A model that categorizes cities in the Third World into three types: primary, secondary, and tertiary cities.
• McGee's Model: A model that categorizes cities in the Third World into three types: primate, secondary, and peripheral cities.
• Central Place Theory: A theory that explains the spacing of towns and cities based on their economic functions and the distance between them.
• Rank-Size Rule: A rule that states that the size of cities in a region follows a specific pattern, with the largest city being twice as large as the second-largest city, and so on.
• Urban Hierarchy: A concept that describes the hierarchical structure of cities in a region, with the largest city at the top and smaller cities below.
• Growth Pole Theory: A theory that explains the growth of cities and regions based on the presence of a dominant industry or economic activity.
• Urban Sprawl: A phenomenon that describes the spread of cities and suburbs into surrounding rural areas, often driven by factors like suburbanization and urbanization.
• Gentrification: A process that describes the transformation of urban neighborhoods from low-income to high-income areas, often driven by factors like gentrification and urban renewal.
• Chain Migration: A type of migration where people move from one place to another in a chain-like pattern, often driven by economic factors.
• Primate City Model: A type of urban model that describes the growth of a single large city, often driven by economic growth and population density.