Ernest W. Burgess facts for kids

Ernest W. Burgess (born May 16, 1886 – died December 27, 1966) was an important sociologist who studied cities. He was born in Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. Burgess is famous for creating a model that explains how cities grow. This model helps us understand the different parts of a city.

Ernest W. Burgess: A City Explorer

Ernest W. Burgess was a Canadian-American sociologist. He spent his life studying how cities work and change. He was especially interested in how people live in different parts of a city. His ideas helped many people understand urban areas better.

Early Life and Education

Ernest W. Burgess was born in Canada in 1886. He moved to the United States for his education. He went to Kingfisher College in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. After that, he studied sociology at the University of Chicago. He later became a professor at the University of Chicago in 1916. He taught and researched there for many years.

His Big Idea: The Concentric Zone Model

One of Burgess's most famous ideas is the Concentric zone model. He created this model in 1923. It helps explain how cities grow outwards from their center. Imagine a target with rings; that's how Burgess saw a city.

How the City Rings Work

Burgess's model suggests that cities grow in five main rings or zones:

• Zone 1: The Central Business District (CBD)
  • This is the very center of the city. It has big businesses, offices, and shops. It is often the busiest part of the city.
• Zone 2: The Transition Zone
  • This area is just outside the CBD. It often has older homes and factories. New immigrants or people with lower incomes might live here. It is a place of change.
• Zone 3: The Working-Class Residential Zone
  • This zone has homes for working-class families. These are often older, but well-kept, houses. People here usually have stable jobs.
• Zone 4: The Residential Zone
  • This area has newer and larger homes. Middle-class families often live here. It is further away from the city center.
• Zone 5: The Commuter Zone
  • This is the outermost ring. People who live here often travel (commute) to work in the city center. It includes suburbs and smaller towns connected to the main city.

Why the Model Was Important

The Concentric Zone Model was a new way to think about cities. It showed that cities do not just grow randomly. Instead, they grow in a structured way. This model helped urban planners and sociologists understand city problems. It also helped them plan for future city growth.

Burgess's Role in Sociology

Ernest W. Burgess was a very respected sociologist. He was the 24th President of the American Sociological Association (ASA). This is a very important role in the field of sociology. He helped shape how people studied cities for many years. His work continues to be important for understanding urban life today.