The Southeast Asian city land-use model that centers on the old colonial port zone and lacks a single CBD is associated with which researcher?

The Southeast Asian city land-use model that centers on the old colonial port zone and lacks a single CBD is associated with which researcher?

• A. McGhee, T. G.
• B. Griffin, E. & Ford, L.
• C. Christaller, W.
• D. Borchert, John

Answer: (A)

This question tests recognition of the Southeast Asian city model developed by T. G. McGee. The defining idea is a port-centered urban form with no single, dominant central business district. In many Southeast Asian cities, the oldest colonial port area remains the core of commercial activity, while other commercial and government functions cluster along riverfronts and along key corridors, creating multiple nuclei rather than one clear CBD. This leads to a polycentric pattern shaped by colonial port influence, diverse ethnic quarters, and rapid growth around secondary centers. That’s why the association with McGee is correct. Other widely studied models describe different regions or patterns—Christaller’s model emphasizes a single, hierarchical central place; Borchert’s epochs outline stages of U.S. urban growth; Griffin & Ford’s Latin American model features a strong commercial spine and a distinctive elite-led sector near the CBD. These do not capture the port-centered, multi-nuclei structure characteristic of Southeast Asian cities.

This question tests recognition of the Southeast Asian city model developed by T. G. McGee. The defining idea is a port-centered urban form with no single, dominant central business district. In many Southeast Asian cities, the oldest colonial port area remains the core of commercial activity, while other commercial and government functions cluster along riverfronts and along key corridors, creating multiple nuclei rather than one clear CBD. This leads to a polycentric pattern shaped by colonial port influence, diverse ethnic quarters, and rapid growth around secondary centers.

That’s why the association with McGee is correct. Other widely studied models describe different regions or patterns—Christaller’s model emphasizes a single, hierarchical central place; Borchert’s epochs outline stages of U.S. urban growth; Griffin & Ford’s Latin American model features a strong commercial spine and a distinctive elite-led sector near the CBD. These do not capture the port-centered, multi-nuclei structure characteristic of Southeast Asian cities.