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Griffin-Ford Model of Latin American City
In 1980, geographers Ernest Griffin and Larry Ford developed a generalized model to describe the structure of cities in
Latin America after concluding that the organization of many cities in that region grew following certain patterns. Their
general model (diagrammed here) claims that Latin American cities are built up around a core central business
district(CBD). Out of that district comes a commercial spine that is surrounded by elite housing. These areas are then
surrounded by three concentric zones of housing that decrease in quality as one moves away from the CBD.
Background and Development of Latin American City Structure
As many Latin American Cities began to grow and develop during colonial times, their organization was mandated by a set of laws called the Laws of the Indies. These were a set of laws issued by Spain to regulate the social, political and economic structure of its colonies outside of Europe. These laws, "mandated everything from treatment of the Indians to the width of the streets" (Griffin and Ford, 1980).
In terms of city structure the Laws of the Indies required that colonial cities have a grid pattern built around a central plaza.
Blocks near the plaza were for residential development for the city's elite. The streets and development farther from the
central plaza were then developed for those with less social and economic status.
As these cities later began to grow and the Laws of the Indies no longer applied, this grid pattern worked only in areas
with slow development and minimal industrialization. In faster growing cities this central area became built up as a central
business district (CBD). These areas were the economic and administrative cores of the cities but they did not expand
much prior to the 1930s.
In the mid- to late-20th century the CBD began to further expand and the organization of the colonial cities of Latin
America were mostly demolished and the "stable central plaza became the node for the evolution of an Anglo-American
styled CBD" (Griffin and Ford, 1980)
As the cities continued to grow, various industrial activities built up around the CBD because of a lack of infrastructure
father away. This resulted in a mix of business, industrial and homes for the wealthy near the CBD.
Around this same time, Latin American cities also experienced in-migration from the countryside and high birth rates as
the poor tried to move closer to cities for work. This resulted in the development of squatter settlements on the edge of
many cities.
Because these were are on the periphery of the cities they were also the least developed. Over time however, these
neighborhoods became more stable and gradually obtained more infrastructure.
Model of Latin American City Structure
In looking at these developmental patterns of Latin American cities Griffin and Ford developed a model to describe their structure that can be applied to almost all major cities in Latin America. This model shows that most cities have a central business district, one dominant elite residential sector and a commercial spine. These areas are then surrounded by a series of concentric zones that decrease in residential quality farther from the CBD.
Central Business District
The center of all Latin American cities is the central business district. These areas are home to the best employment opportunities and they are the commercial and entertainment hubs for the city. They are also very well developed in terms of infrastructure and most have many modes of public transportation so that people can easily get into and out of them.
Spine and Elite Residential Sector
After the CBD the next most dominant part of Latin American cities is the commercial spine that is surrounded by residential developments for the most elite and wealthy people in the city. The spine itself is considered an extension of the CBD and it is home to many commercial and industrial applications. The elite residential sector is where nearly all of the city's professionally built houses are and the upper class and upper middle class live in these regions. In many cases these areas also have large tree lined boulevards, golf courses, museums, restaurants, parks, theaters and zoos.Land use planning and zoning is also very strict in these areas.
Zone of Maturity
The zone of maturity is located around the CBD and is considered an inner city location. These areas have areas have better constructed homes and in many cities these areas have middle income residents who filtered in after the upper class residents moved out of the inner city and into the elite residential sector. These areas have a fully developed infrastructure.
Zone of In Situ Accretion
The zone of in situ accretion is a transitional area for Latin American cities that is between the zone of maturity and the zone of peripheral squatter settlements. The homes are of modest qualities that vary widely in size, type and quality of materials. These areas look like they are in a "constant state of on-going construction" and homes are unfinished (Griffin and Ford, 1980). Infrastructure such as roads and electricity is only completed in some areas.
Zone of Peripheral Squatter Settlements
The zone of peripheral squatter settlements is located on the edge of Latin American cities and it is where the poorest people in the cities live. These areas have virtually no infrastructure and many homes are built by their residents using whatever materials they can find. Older peripheral squatter settlements are better developed as residents often continually work to improve the areas, while newer settlements are just starting.
Age Differences in Latin American City Structure
Like the age differences present in the zone of peripheral squatter settlements age differences are important in the overall structure of Latin American cities as well. In older cities with slow population growth the zone of maturity is often larger and the cities appear more organized than younger cities with very fast population growth. As a result, the "size of each zone is a function of the age of the city and of the rate of population growth in relation to the economic capacity of the city to absorb effectively additional residents and to extend public services" (Griffin and Ford, 1980).
Revised Model of Latin American City Structure
In 1996 Larry Ford presented a revised model of Latin American city structure after further development in the cities made them more complicated than the 1980 general model showed. His revised model (diagrammed here) incorporated six changes to the original zones. The changes are as follows:
- The new central city should be divided into a CBD and a Market. This change shows that many cities now have offices,
hotels and retail structures in their downtowns as well as their original CBDs.
- The spine and elite residential sector now has a mall or edge city at the end to provide goods and services to those in
the elite residential sector.
- Many Latin American cities now have separate industrial sectors and industrial parks that are outside of the CBD.
