Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

What aspect of urban development does the sector model emphasize?

1. Population density

2. Historical growth patterns

3. Transportation routes

4. Environmental sustainability

The correct answer is: Transportation routes

The sector model emphasizes transportation routes as a fundamental aspect of urban development. Developed by economist Homer Hoyt in the 1930s, this model suggests that a city grows in sectors rather than in concentric circles, with each sector radiating from the central business district (CBD) and influenced by major transportation lines and corridors. Unlike some other urban models that focus primarily on population density or historical growth patterns, the sector model highlights how transportation infrastructure shapes urban land use and affects the distribution of various socioeconomic groups within a city. For example, areas near major highways or railroads are likely to feature higher levels of development and attract certain types of businesses and housing. This emphasis on transportation routes provides valuable insights for urban planners and geographers studying the dynamics of city growth and organization. While environmental sustainability is an important consideration in planning, it is not a central feature of the sector model, which focuses more on economic and spatial relationships specifically tied to transportation.